National Women’s Day
August 9
About National Women’s Day
National Women’s Day is a South African public holiday observed every year on 9 August. It commemorates the historic 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, when around 20,000 women of all backgrounds protested against the apartheid pass laws. The day honours the courage of those women and celebrates the ongoing struggle for gender equality in South Africa.
The Story Behind National Women’s Day
On 9 August 1956, approximately 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of the South African government, to deliver a petition against proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act. These “pass laws” required Black South Africans to carry an internal passport, known as a passbook, that controlled their movement and enforced racial segregation under apartheid. The government intended to extend these humiliating restrictions to women, and the women of South Africa responded with one of the most significant acts of mass resistance the country had seen.
The march was led by four remarkable women: Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. Their leadership crossed the racial divisions that apartheid sought to entrench, uniting Black, white, Indian and Coloured women in a common cause. The marchers carried more than 100,000 signatures gathered on petitions, which they left outside the office of Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom, who was not present to receive them.
After delivering the petitions, the women stood in silence for 30 minutes before breaking into a protest song composed for the occasion: “Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo”, meaning “Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock.” The phrase has since become a rallying cry for women’s strength and resilience throughout South Africa. The first official National Women’s Day was celebrated on 9 August 1995, the year after the country’s first democratic elections, and it has been marked as a public holiday ever since.
When and Where is National Women’s Day Celebrated?
National Women’s Day falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026. Because the date lands on a weekend, South African public holiday regulations mean the holiday is officially observed on Monday, 10 August 2026, giving workers a day off. The day is a national observance across South Africa, with the entire month of August often recognised as Women’s Month in tribute to the 1956 march.
Traditions and Customs
The day is marked through a blend of remembrance, celebration and activism:
- Government ceremonies – National and provincial governments host official events, often led by women in leadership, to honour the legacy of the 1956 marchers and review progress on gender equality.
- Re-enactments and marches – Community groups and organisations stage commemorative marches, sometimes retracing the route to the Union Buildings, to keep the memory of the original protest alive.
- Singing the anthem of resistance – “Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo” is sung at gatherings, connecting modern participants to the women who first raised their voices in 1956.
- Women’s Month programming – Throughout August, schools, businesses and media run features celebrating South African women and addressing issues such as gender-based violence and economic empowerment.
- Community service and charity – Many use the day to support shelters, mentorship schemes and organisations that assist women and girls.
Ways to Celebrate National Women’s Day
Whether you are in South Africa or marking the occasion from elsewhere, there are meaningful ways to take part:
- Learn the history – Read about Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, and the wider anti-apartheid women’s movement.
- Support women-led businesses – Seek out and buy from enterprises founded and run by women in your community.
- Attend a local event – Join a march, talk or cultural gathering organised to mark the day.
- Donate to a women’s charity – Contribute to organisations working on gender-based violence, education or economic empowerment.
- Mentor or volunteer – Offer your time to programmes that support young women and girls.
- Share the story – Use your platform to highlight the achievements of South African women and the meaning behind the day.
Facts and Figures
- The 1956 march drew an estimated 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
- The petitions carried more than 100,000 signatures gathered from across the country.
- The first official National Women’s Day was celebrated on 9 August 1995.
- Strijdom Square in Pretoria was renamed Lilian Ngoyi Square in 2006 in honour of one of the march leaders.
- August is widely observed as Women’s Month in South Africa, extending the commemoration across the full month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Women’s Day?
National Women’s Day is a South African public holiday held on 9 August that commemorates the 1956 women’s march against apartheid pass laws and celebrates the role of women in the country’s history and ongoing pursuit of equality.
When is National Women’s Day in 2026?
It falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026, with the public holiday officially observed on Monday, 10 August 2026.
Why is National Women’s Day celebrated on 9 August?
The date marks the anniversary of the 1956 march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, when around 20,000 women protested against the extension of apartheid pass laws to women.
Spread the Word
Share National Women’s Day with your community using #NationalWomensDay and #WomensDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion by learning the history, supporting a women-led cause or honouring the marchers of 1956, every bit of awareness helps keep this powerful tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Emmeline Pankhurst Day – Honours the British suffragette leader who fought for women’s right to vote.
- International Day of Women in Diplomacy – Celebrates the contribution of women to peace and diplomacy worldwide.
- International Women in Engineering Day – Recognises women breaking barriers in science and engineering.
Links
- Read about Women’s Day on the South African Government website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Mpumelelo Macu on Unsplash.
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