Las mujeres, en sistemas opresivos racializados, siempre se han alzado y luchado por sí mismas y por el bienestar colectivo, defendiendo el derecho a vivir con dignidad e igualdad, afirmando su fuerza y resiliencia cantando "wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo" (cuando golpeas a una mujer, golpeas una roca).

Release Press

August, a month for South African Women genuine acknowledgment

Women in racialized oppressive systems have always stood up and strived for themselves and for the collective’s well-being, defending the right to live in dignity and equality, asserting their strength and resilience by the singing of “wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” (when you strike a woman you strike a rock).

On August 9th, the Embassy of Colombia in South Africa, join the African community to celebrate South African women’s hardihood, a legacy carried out from fights against colonial patriarchal racist oppressions in the past, to today’s modern forms of suppression that prevent her full exercise of her being and her human rights.

The Embassy of Colombia in South Africa salute all South African and African women that, from the intimate space of personal and family relationships to the public and communal spheres, contribute day to day to build healthy, democratic and diverse societies. We all owe African women gratitude for the outstanding role they have played in humanity.

As we celebrate once again African women, let’s not forget that there are still systemic and atrocious injustices and crimes committed every second against women and girls around the world, fueled by impunity, fear, hatred, and overall lack of political will to address root causes and take bold actions that transform their current situation.

We live in times of incredible challenges where women in general and African women in particular continue presenting bold practical initiatives, offering their historical wisdom and expertise in the struggles for a better world. All it takes is to pay attention and commit with deep sincerity to step further the rhetorical to the effective individual, social and cultural transformations needed to understand and respect women as a human being, critical step to resolve the historical issues of patriarchy, racism and general social disparities that ill this wonderful world.

It takes a personal grain to add to the collective nurturing of justice and equality for African women. In July 2024, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved unanimously a proposal by Colombia, co-sponsored by Brazil, to celebrate 25th of July as the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent. With today’s celebration of African women, we share our grain to the community pot to pledge for a sustained attention and radical effective actions to bring full conditions for African women and girls to enjoy justice and dignity.

As we proudly celebrate, let’s acknowledge them by calling out their names loudly;  Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Frances Baard, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams-De Bruyn, Gertrude Shope, Madie-Hall Xuma, Josie Mpama, Dora Tamana, Julia Mpanza, Ida Mtwana, Florence Matomela, Amina Cachalia, Annie Silinga, Fatima Meer, Bibi Dadwood, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Mandela and all those who are continuing their legacy… keep shouting!

Cheerful South African Women’s Day and African Women Month.