Ipas Africa Southern Region (ASR) joins South Africa in commemorating 2023 Women’s Day running under the theme “Accelerating socio-economic opportunities for women empowerment”.
Women’s Day is the ninth day of August, marking a watershed moment in the history of the country when over 15,000 women in 1956 marched to the Union Buildings to petition against the passage of laws that violated basic human rights, posing a serious injustice to black people and women at the time.
As the country seeks to accelerate socio-economic opportunities to advance women’s empowerment, many women are still facing significant challenges in exercising their right to bodily autonomy – the ability to make decisions over their own bodies.
“Bodily autonomy centers around reproductive justice, which is the complete physical, mental, political, economic and social well-being of women and girls. It is also an important underpinning to women’s empowerment and in advancing gender equality; yet it remains elusive for many women and girls in the country,” says Petronella Ntambo Sebele, director of Ipas Africa Southern Region.
“Access to reproductive health commodities and services, including safe abortion services are still inaccessible to many as result of barriers such stigma and discrimination which are pervasive within the health system and communities,” Petronella continues. “Without access to abortion, contraception, vital health information, and the power to make decisions, one cannot determine their own future.”
South Africa has made significant efforts to advance reproductive justice by passing various laws including the Choice on the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1996 granting access to safe abortion services for people who can become pregnant. However, its implementation is riddled with challenges.
Ipas continues to work in the region to improve reproductive health, expand access to contraception and safe abortion services and advance individuals’ right to bodily autonomy so that the people of South Africa can freely make reproductive health decisions.