Page 22 - The Villager August 2021
P. 22
Lifestyle
WomEn in high placEs
BY ANN ARNOTT
Celebrating the achievements of women in today's world.
hen discussing the relevance However, when it comes to the to the British Commonwealth, names
of our Public Holiday on present day, while still recognising the such as Margaret Thatcher (British Prime
W9 August, some kids might tremendous hardships and sacrifices Minister from 1979 – 1990) and Indira
well ask, “Why do we have a Public made by women during the ‘struggle Gandhi (Prime Minister of India from
Holiday to remember a march by women years’, we should be celebrating their 1966 – 1977 and then again from 1980
to protest about laws that don’t resonate strength of character and resilience, and until her assassination in 1984) might
with us? That march took place sixty-five use that as a backdrop while we applaud come to mind. But in fact, there have
years ago. That was so long ago. The time the women achievers of our time – not been many more.
is now and we are born free.” only here in SA, but around the world. Since 1950, more than 80 countries
Perhaps the best answer is, “Without have either elected or appointed
acknowledging that march, which WOMEN IN POLITICS women in the position of head of
prompted the proclamation of National While our women in SA continued to state or government. In 1960, just
Women’s Day as a Public Holiday, we’ll fight the oppression of the prevailing four years after the 1956 march
quickly forget the part that women of all National Party government, elsewhere to the Union Buildings in Pretoria,
races and cultures have played in getting in the world women were already Sirimavo Bandaranaiki became the first
us to the point where our kids could be making their mark as leaders of democratically-elected female head of
born free!” governments. With our former links state of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
20 • Issue 8 2021 • The Villager