South Africans mark national Women's Day

President Jacob Zuma joined South Africans in marking the national Women's Day, pledging to create a better life for women.

The Women's Day is decided to the historic march by more than 20, 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria 60 years ago, to protest against pass laws which required African persons to carry a "pass", a special identification document which curtailed their freedom of movement.

"We are together today, in South Africa, because of your struggles over decades, your resilience, and your defiance, because of the courage with which the women of South Africa responded so magnificently to the calls to resist apartheid made by the African National Congress (ANC)," Zuma said.

Because of the heroic achievements by women, the government today continues to work at improving the living conditions of households including those headed by women, said the president.

Women want a better life, characterized by the extension of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, education, health and others benefits for women and children, he said.

"The struggles of women enabled the ushering in of freedom and democracy, so that these services can be extended to all," Zuma said.

Many women still live in difficult conditions, some communities are still waiting for water, electricity, sanitation and housing, and women are still struggling as they travel long distances to fetch water, Zuma said.

"It is for this reason that work is continuing to improve the lives of our people each day.

"Government will not rest until decent basic services reach all our people," Zuma said.

As women are troubled by unemployment, work continues to improve the economic situation in the country through working together by business, government and labour, he said.

"The economic situation is difficult for us and the world at large. But we will continue our efforts to improve the situation and create an environment in which the private sector can create jobs," Zuma said.

Also on Tuesday, the ANC issued a statement to mark the Women's Day.

Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the government has made tremendous progress in ensuring that women be able to take up their rightful place in the leadership of the country, the governing party said.

"We now live in a society that respects the enduring principles of freedom, equality, justice, human dignity and equal opportunities for all," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

Before 1994, only 2.7 percent of those in Parliament were women. This has changed considerably. Today 44 percent of MPs consists of women, and women make up 43 percent of the cabinet.

The ANC-led government continues to work towards equity for women in all sectors of the economy, and is encouraged by efforts especially in state-owned enterprises, said Kodwa.

The government continues to prioritize facilitating access to educational opportunities and support for young women, in the schooling system, he said.

"It is the ANC government that is enabling young women to learn and take up opportunities for a better future," Kodwa said. Endit