International Women’s Day: Women Must Take Up Arms

International Women’s Day: Women Must Take Up Arms

On 8 March 1971, more than 200 women delegates attended a rally in Lusaka, Zambia, called jointly by women of the liberation movements of Southern Africa to commemorate March 8th, International Women’s Day, and March 2nd, Angola Women’s Day.

Chairperson of the meeting, Ms Maria Santos, from the MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola), explained how on March 2nd, 1967, five MPLA women returning from the combat front had been captured and brutally murdered by Portuguese soldiers. “The arduous fight that Angolan women are carrying out with their people in arms is the best homage to those who have died in our struggle”, she declared.

On behalf of the Women’s Section of the African National Congress (ANC), Ms Edna Mgabaza, appealed to women to take up arms and fight side by side with men to liberate their homelands. “International Women’s Day was observed for the first time in 1911, when a million women took part. It was the biggest ever manifestation of equality and peace. From then on, March 8 th was taken up by women the world over in their struggle against exploitation, male domination and war,” said Ms Mgabaza.

“We are also commemorating the 2nd March, Angola Women’s Day – the anniversary of the murder of five women militants of MPLA. We of the ANC of South Africa hail these gallant daughters of Angola. We say, our blood and the blood of all the people of our oppressed countries shall be avenged, you shall for ever remain a source of inspiration to us.

“In South Africa women have been in the forefront of the fight for their land and their rights throughout the bloody history of colonialism and internal oppression. During the wars of resistance which began in 1779 and lasted over 100 years, women stood and died by the side of their men against the fire power of the colonial military machine.

“With this proud history behind them, it is not surprising that one of the founders of the African National Congress should have been a woman, Charlotte Maxeke, on of the first African women to obtain a university degree. Having gained inspiration from such women as Charlotte, our women have never turned back – they have always moved forward in the struggle for human dignity. Women like Florence Matomela, for example, whose husband died whilst she was serving a prison sentence imposed on her for no other crime than fighting for the dignity of her people. She herself died a few months after her release from prison. She died honourably – fighting for the betterment of her people.

“To this day we have our gallant women in South Africa who are prepared to fight until victory is won. … For the past 61 years, women have fought for their rights alongside the general struggle of their people for national independence, social progress and peace.

“On this day, March 8th 1971, women throughout the world come together in order to express their aspirations and their fears. Too long have women been dominated by men, too long had they to carry the burden of hard physical work in the fields, kitchens, factories, bear children and bring them up. Women have been told and taught to look at men as their born rulers. Only men were fit to become Presidents and Cabinet Ministers. But not today. Women today joined the men’s world, today we have women Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Governors, diplomats and even representatives in international bodies. Even academically women continue to climb up the ladder.

“And women are struggling with arms against oppression, fighting side by side with their menfolk in wars of liberation of their motherlands. They take part in campaigns to eliminate illiteracy and hunger, backward customs and traditions that bar them from full participation in the work of reconstruction of their States. Men have come to appreciate and acknowledge the important role women play in society.”

Another speaker at the rally was Ms Magarida Matsinha who represented FRELIMO (Mozambican Liberation Front). She thanked all those countries rendering moral and financial support to the liberation movements of Southern Africa. In a short speech, Ms Galima Belokolos, wife of the Soviet Ambassador to Zambia, praised African women, especially those fighting side by side with their male counterparts.

The following resolutions were carried: Demanding recognition of Angola as an underdeveloped country under partial occupation of foreign forces, and requesting the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to recognise MPLA as the only legal and official representative of Angola; Condemning South Africa’s refusal to withdraw from Namibia; Condemning British arms sales to South Africa; and Protesting at the murderous military action by the United States in extending their war of aggression to other countries in Indo China and demanding that they withdraw and let the Vietnamese determine their own destiny.

Source:
ANC Delegate, “Women Must Take Up Arms”, Sechaba, Vol. 5, No. 6, June 1971.

WATHINT’ ABAFAZI, WATHINT’ IMBOKODO, UZOKUFA!

Castro Khwela
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