Women’s month - what is left?

We have now finished another Women’s Month, acknowledging the legacy left by those courageous 20,000 who marched to the Union Buildings 55 years ago.

What is left now for us women?

Should we just carry on with life and wait until next August to celebrate the 56th anniversary of this memorable event?

I personally don’t think so. I believe that we need instead to pursue the spirit of courage displayed by those women.

They showed no complacency towards a situation imposed on them. They showed no fear but were determined to get what was important for their well-being and their future.

Today in 2011, we have freedom, development and many possibilities in South Africa but women’s lives are still very limited.

This proves that any change has to flow from the inside out and not be bound by circumstances. The situation facing those women 55 years ago was terrible but they were determined to achieve change and they made it happen.

When you are subject to the circumstances around you and allow them to rule your life, even if they are positive, you will not be able to bring about change because it did not start from inside you.

Any small difficulty, barrier or challenge will seem big enough to stop you, to take your dream away and to deprive you of a future. Actually, to be honest, you will end up allowing all this to happen.

Paul said to the Romans “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.

Are you prepared to continue with the same kind of life you have today for another 11 months? And when August 2012 comes, we will celebrate Women’s Month, hear beautiful poems, see what many other women are doing for society… and your life will keep on being the same.

Make the sacrifice to be renewed through your life: enjoy the freedom they opened the way for and do something great in your own life. Do not look around and be shaped by the situation. Find within yourself the power to transform it. Then when next August comes, you will have every reason to celebrate. You will be a woman of courage who marched towards a new life.

In the spirit of those 20,000 heroines, I hope you had a happy Women’s Month.