Freedom for Women

Mainstreaming gender in the South African liberation struggle and beyond

By: Meer S
Published in: Gender and Development Journal 13(2), 2005
Via: Siyanda

As a result of women's activism, non-sexism became a key goal of the national liberation struggle in South Africa. During the negotiations for democracy, women drew on their experience of the years of struggle to ensure that gender equality was enshrined in the constitution, and that an array of gender machinery was put in place to mainstream gender in the new state. However, in the post-apartheid era of reconstruction and development, women's movements have been demobilised and there is an emphasis on growth and market efficiency rather than on political struggle. Progress on gender equality made during the transition has thus not resulted in clear gains for women within the post-apartheid era. To advance the goal of gender equality there is a need for struggle both at the level of ideas and practice. This requires strong women's organisations which have as their focus the transformation of gender relations.