Women’s Day marks march, and push to end hardships
ANCWL’s Papiyana takes part in 5km run
Inequality, gender-based violence and drugs were some of the issues faced by women in a modern society, according to ANC Women’s League’s Enoch Mgijima subregion chair Nosipho Papiyana.
She participated in a 5km Women’s Day fun run this week.
The party’s Mbuyiseli Songelwa branch marked the anniversary of the women who marched to the Union Buildings 66 years ago on Tuesday, with a group of residents joining in the cause.
Elethu Mkhangelwa, branch treasurer, said since the branch did not have a women’s structure, it was ideal to put together a fundraising initiative as a start.
“We believe that it depends entirely on us to build up a structure in the ward so we are able to work together with our government and towards the delivery of services,” said Mkhangelwa.
In supporting the programme, Papiyana said the day was to both celebrate the women of 1956 and to tackle the social ills currently faced by women in society.
“We are here to commemorate the march of 1956 and to also say we are now women faced with genderbased violence, inequality and drugs. What can we then do to ensure that these issues are addressed? We have to embark on awareness campaigns such as the one that was held today (Tuesday). We are exposed to violence and abuse in our homes, at work and our children are being killed.”
Papiyana had made reference of the incident that took place in Enyobeni Tavern in East London where 21 young people mysteriously died.
“As women, we have also taken note of the unfortunate incidences that are claiming and destroying the lives of our children – children who are the future of this country. We need to continue being the voice and fight for the safety of women and children and uproot this abuse. We need to speak out.
“As we know, women like Albertina Sisulu, Lilian Ngoyi, Winnie Mandela are women who played a huge role in liberating our people and we appreciate that. We now have a responsibility as women of the ANC and the Enoch Mgijima sub-region in particular, of addressing these challenges,” said Papiyana.