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Introduction
When thinking of South Africa women's rights and suffrage are not usually the first things that come to mind. Just like the many women in The United States and Europe, women all over South Africa have fought against adversity to gain the rights that all people deserve. There are still many improvements that need to be made in how women in all over the world are treated, but this timeline will show the strides that have be made thus far in South Africa by women of all races. -
First Protests Begin
Protests led by Charlotte Maxeke take place in the Orange Free State, resisting government attempts to impose passes on women. Passes were burnt in front of the local municipal offices. Pass Laws imposed internal passports on many South African citizens. They were designed to segregate the population, and designate migrant labour. Image URL: http://www.parliament.gov.za/content/programme%20email2.pdf -
White Women Gain the Right to Vote
White women aged 21 and older in South Africa gain the right to vote in the same capacity that white men can vote. This was done under the Women's Enfranchisement Act. However, by allowing white women to vote the effect the voting weight/power of black men is decreased from 3.1% to 1.4% due to nearly doubling the number of white voters.
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African National Congress Women's League is formed
The Organization was founded by Charlotte Maxeke. Maxeke also became it's first president. The organization is the women's department of the African National Congress (ANC). The group protested aparthaid and Pass laws.
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1956 Women's March
South African women of all races staged a march on the Union Buildings in protest of the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950. The leaders of the protest left the huge bundles of signed petitions outside JG Strijdom's office door. It later transpired that they were removed before he bothered to look at them. Protest helped coin the phrase "you strike a woman, you strike a rock" which represents South African women's courage and strength
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The Revolt of the Women
The African women of the City of Durban in the Natal province set in motion a series of revolts that lasted for 1959-1963. What started off as the call for the boycott of the beer-halls was to become the beginning of the uprising of the women of Natal against oppression. Activist Dorothy Nyembe is arrested for leading the revolts.
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The Black Women's Federation is formed
Initially started in 1973 by Natal women who were inspired Fatima Meer after her return from the US. The meetings grew and in Natal made contact with the Transvaal women and eventually spread all over South Africa. The Black Women's Federation was formed to created a united front for all South African women to work to resolve issues such as education, housing, labour, rural development, and detentions.
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African Self Help Association is set up
The African Self Help Association was created to help and encourage South African women in urban areas to do voluntary social work amongst people in their area. Today the organization focused on early childhood development and training woman to be teachers and social workers.
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Increase in Women's Economic Activity
31.5% women are economically active in South Africa. This percentage had more than doubled from the 15.5% of economically active women in1960. Women in South Africa were continuing to make huge strides in gaining equal rights and independence. -
All Women Gain the Right to Vote
Bantustans (a territory set aside for the black people of South Africa as part of apartheid policy) and theTricameral Parliament were abolished and the right to vote for the National Assembly was granted to all adult citizens. -
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is appointed Deputy President of South Africa
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka became the first female Deputy President of South Africa. She is appointed by President Thabo Mbeki. She served from 2005-2008
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