This Women’s Month, SD Law congratulates women in sport
This month, South Africa observes Women’s Month. We say “observe” rather than “celebrate” because women still experience physical and emotional abuse and even death at the hands of men every day at shamefully high rates in our country. Sex work is still criminalised and sex workers stigmatised, even though the Criminal Law [Sexual Offences and Related Matters] Amendment Bill of 2022, which decriminalises sex work, was published for comments in 2022, but enactment has been delayed. According to a recent report by the Commission for Gender Equality, although overall poverty has declined since 1993, the number of women in poverty remains persistently higher than men at a national level. Women face the triple challenge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Setting aside one day or month in the year to acknowledge the contributions women make to society is an inadequate gesture that does little to improve the status of women in South Africa. However, we still believe Women’s Month is an important occasion which should be observed to ensure that the development of women remains on the national agenda. Women are agents of change and transformation.
Women and democracy
The government’s theme for this year’s Women’s Month is “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development”. Sport also plays a key role in social change and unification, and nowhere was this more evident than in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which ended so spectacularly just after our National Women’s Day. The women’s marathon, one of the final events of the Games, deliberately retraced the route of a 1789 march by women from Paris to Versailles during the French Revolution, to deliver grievances to the king – a precursor to the women’s march on Pretoria in 1958. The French Revolution has been credited with redefining the nature of political power and giving birth to modern democracy. Those women protesting against the pass laws in Pretoria were a key catalyst in our struggle against apartheid, just as the women of Paris in 1789 were a catalyst for the Revolution.
In a historical first, the women’s marathon winners were awarded their medals at the closing ceremony. The men’s marathon award ceremony has traditionally closed the Olympics. Shortly after that the Olympic flag was passed from Anne Hidalgo, the (female) mayor of Paris, to Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, the first black female mayor to receive the Olympic flag. On stage with them was US gold medallist gymnast Simone Biles, a sporting phenomenon and an inspirational athlete who has helped many young people prioritise their mental health in sport…and in life. Together all these women represent the capacity women have to effect political, social, and cultural change.
Going for gold
The Paris Olympics were the first Olympic Games with full gender parity. in Tokyo in 2021 female participation was 48%. This year, the International Olympic Committee allocated 50% of quota places to female athletes and 50% to males. Records were broken and amazing performances put in by both men and women. It was heartwarming to see Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee Olympic Team win a bronze medal in the women’s 75kg boxing – the ROT’s first. Simone Biles thrilled the crowds again with her daring routines, and Rebeca Andrade of Brazil proved that she is Biles’s successor in waiting.
Emma Finucane of Great Britain, just 21, won three medals – one gold and two bronze – making her the first British woman in 60 years to win a hat trick of medals in a single Olympic Games. American swimmer Katie Ledecky successfully defended her Olympic title in the women’s 800-meter freestyle for the fourth straight time.
And closer to home, we congratulate all our South African medal winners, especially Tatjana Smith, who won gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke and silver in the 200m event for the same stroke, and Jo-Ane van Dyke, who won silver in the women’s javelin.
Role models
In the closing ceremony, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, spoke of the role of sport in unifying people and nations and bringing peace in times of conflict. Women are often called upon to be peacemakers and problem solvers. In a world defined by polarisation and division, interconnectivity between forces for good benefits everyone. Women in sport inspire not only young female athletes, they provide a powerful example of resilience, determination, and leadership for all. Their achievements challenge stereotypes and pave the way for greater gender equality in all aspects of society, promoting teamwork and perseverance. When women are empowered, they contribute to building a more inclusive and peaceful world. Their influence extends beyond the field of play, motivating future generations to strive for excellence and believe they can make a meaningful impact, both in sport and in life.
SD Law congratulates all South African Olympic athletes and all South African women!
SD Law
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