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The African National Congress joins the global community in celebrating International Women's today, under the theme, "The Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women's lives". This day provides the international community a time to reflect on progress made in the emancipation of women all over the world. It is also to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their communities.

Central to our liberation heritage as a country, is a women's movement which fought for a South Africa that is non-sexist, in which the oppression and exploitation of women, whether in the workplace, in communities or in the home, is eradicated.

South Africa celebrates International Women's Day 2018 in the year of the centenary of the birth of Mama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu, a stalwart of our struggle who is remembered for her strength, compassion and tireless commitment to the people of this country. This year's International Women's Day is also commemorated a 100 years since the formation of the Bantu Women's League, a forerunner of the ANC Women's League and the first organisation in the country to take up the struggle of South African women.

We have as a nation made tremendous strides in the emancipation of women, however, we must confront the resurgence of patriarchy and backward attitudes towards the role of women in society. In our pursuit of radical economic transformation, women must be at the forefront of programmes intended to benefit the poor majority of this country.

Together, we shall build a nation that is united towards a common goal of the total emancipation of women and strive for gender equality in all spheres of life.

The ANC wishes women of the world a happy International Women's Day.

Issued by the African National Congress