Published: 1 December 2025
Author: Nheo Fumba
Every year, South Africa observes 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. As the nation, this is reminded of a painful reality that despite decades of struggle and progress, women are still fighting to be seen, heard and protected in every sphere of society, including in their homes.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December and is part of a global movement and was launched globally in 1991 and adopted in South Africa in 1998. The campaign runs between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) and International Human Rights Day (10 December).
For South African women, 16 Days of Activism carries a distinct historical and emotional weight as it speaks directly to the legacy of the women who marched in 1956 to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, protesting the extension of apartheid pass laws to Black women. The 1956 march also fought against the apartheid system’s enforcement of racial segregation that was designed to erase their humanity, making non-white South Africans secondary citizens. Now decades later, although pass laws have been removed, women are fighting against gender-based violence (GBV), economic marginalisation, political exclusion, and societal norms that still treat women as secondary citizens. The struggle continues not because women have not fought hard enough, but because the systems around them have not transformed fast enough.
On 9 August 1956, more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to oppose the apartheid pass laws that sought to restrict and control the movement of Black women. Leaders such as Lilian Ngoyi, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, Rahima Moosa, and Helen Joseph helped organise the march, which became one of the most powerful demonstrations in South Africa’s history.
Their rallying cry “Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo!” (You strike a woman; you strike a rock)
has become a timeless declaration of women’s power and resilience. The 1956 march was more than a historic moment, it laid the foundation of women’s political agency, solidarity and defiance that continues to inspire activism today. This declaration centres the role of women in the struggle for justice, even when society refuses to acknowledge them.
Despite progressive policies and constitutional protections, the lived experiences of many women in South Africa reflect continued inequality. The challenges faced now are different, yet deeply entwined with the injustices of the past. Women have helped shape South Africa. Women have led resistance. Women have always demanded justice. Yet women still have to fight to be acknowledged in boardrooms, political parties, research spaces, media narratives, and economic structures. They still fight to be believed! To be paid equally. To be safe. To be taken seriously. To be treated with dignity.
The fight for women’s dignity and humanity continues, not only in protest spaces, but in homes, workplaces, boardrooms, universities and online platforms. This is why the 16 Days of Activism is not just a symbolic campaign. It is a reminder of how far we have come, how far we still need to go, and how women continue to resist structures that undermine their freedom, humanity and agency.
The activism of 1956 did not end on the steps of the Union Buildings: it lives on through today’s movements which push for justice, protection and recognition. Women are still gathering, organising, marching, protesting and advocating just as they did in 1956. But now, the fight extends into digital spaces, legal battles, policy reforms, survivor support networks, community leadership and global solidarity campaigns. The methods have evolved, but the mission remains the same: for women to live free, safe, and equal lives! Over the past 10 years, there have been many prominent campaigns to raise awareness of the violence, abuse of women and gender inequality that remains prevalent in South Africa:
16 Days of Activism continues to give renewed visibility to issues women face and strengthens national resolve to end violence and discrimination. It also challenges South Africans to ask deeper questions:
The 16 Days of Activism urges tangible, year-round action. As the country enters the 16 Days of Activism, the legacy of the 1956 march offers a powerful reminder: When women unite, systems shift. When women resist, the nation moves forward.
The women of 1956 carved a path with courage. As women in 2025, we continue to fight against injustices, refusing to be silent, refusing to disappear, refusing to settle for anything less than justice.
Let this year’s 16 Days of Activism be more than just awareness. Let it be a renewed commitment, collective mobilisation and sustained action. Because until all women are safe, free, equal and acknowledged, the fight continues!
The resources below provide credible, accessible and action-oriented information for anyone working to combat GBV. Each link offers practical tools for communities and individuals who want to transform awareness into sustained activism, strengthen advocacy, and contribute to meaningful change.
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