nelson mandela and women's rights

[niyad]

Nelson Mandela and Women’s Rights



South Africa’s monumental leader in the struggle against apartheid, Nelson Mandela, died today at age 95. Not only did he fight against the oppression of black Africans, but he supported the rights of women. Under his one-term presidency in the 1990s, South Africa signed and ratified the CEDAW treaty—something the U.S. has yet to do.

And he leaves us with these stirring words:

Freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression.

http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/12/05/nelson-mandela-and-womens-rights/

[sheshe2]

1. re-posting here, what I posted in GO

The presence of so many women from so many parts of our land underlines the weight of the pledge for women of South Africa to join hands with government for Unity, Peace and Development.

That is a daunting task. The legacy of oppression weighs heavily on women. As long as women are bound by poverty and as long as they are looked down upon, human rights will lack substance. As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow. As long as the nation refuses to acknowledge the equal role of more than half of itself, it is doomed to failure.

Forty years ago, a legion of brave and determined women dared to throw down the gauntlet at the seat of apartheid power. We honour these veterans. Indeed, the fact that we do not yet have a monument in these environs to acknowledge them is a challenge that we face, as we plan to honour the victims and heroes of our history of struggle. Their inspiring example challenges us all to work together to realise their noble ideals and build a truly non-sexist society.

Let us join hands, in response to the call of the women, for Unity, Peace and Development. Let us enter the new century with concrete results to measure our beautiful words.

Equal power and glory to the Women of South Africa!

more

http://jezebel.com/what-nelson-mandela-meant-for-south-africas-women-1477539985

Thank you niyad...

Kicking!

[niyad]

2. and thank you for sharing this. had not seen it yet