The Struggle for African Women

I found an interesting article on the struggle for African women. In the earlier years of African history, there had been a time of inequality, where blacks and colored people were "less than" whites, and women were inferior to men. Through this though, South African women played a huge role trying to fight for equal rights before any organization was even thought of. Women began to fight for what they believed in. Indian women encouraged Black and Indian miners to protest against starvation wages. In 1913 Black and Colored women fought against the requirement of carrying identity passes, while it was not necessary for White women to do so.

In 1918, the first women's organizatoin, Bantu Women's League, was started up by Charlotte Maxeke. It was constructed to refuse the pass laws. Throughout the 1930s and 40's, women continued to take part in campaigns, and by 1943, women were able to be apart of the African National Congress. In 1948, Ida Mntwana established the ANC Women's League, and she was the organization's first president.

Ida Mntwana, president of ANC Women's League

In 1952, there were many women who participated in the Defiance Campaign. Two years later, the Federation of South African Women was created. This brought women from the ANC, the South African Indian Congress, trade unions and self-help groups together for the very first time. A women's Charter was drawn up which promised to end abolish discriminatory laws. 

Women went through a lot during this time, trying to fight for the equality of men and women. Even through these hard times, women leaned on other women to keep them fighting for their equality.