President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai gathered at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on 9 August 2026 to mark the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March. During the keynote address, President Ramaphosa condemned the systematic exclusion of Afghan women and girls from public life, education, and employment under the Taliban regime.
International Solidarity Against Gender Apartheid
The event, which commemorated the day 20,000 women marched against apartheid-era pass laws, served as a platform for Yousafzai to highlight the crisis facing women in Afghanistan. She described the current restrictions in the country as “gender apartheid” and urged the international community to take decisive action.
We look to South Africa again today to inspire the world with your courage and conviction to help us make gender apartheid a crime.
During the proceedings, Yousafzai and a delegation of Afghan women leaders held a bilateral meeting with President Ramaphosa. The discussion focused on strategies to address gender-based oppression and the role of global leaders in advocating for the rights of women living under restrictive regimes.
Reflecting On Seventy Years Of Struggle
President Ramaphosa used the anniversary to draw parallels between the fight for liberation in South Africa and the contemporary struggle for women’s rights globally. He paid tribute to Yousafzai for her enduring advocacy despite the threats she has faced.
A cruel ideology tried to silence you, but you rose to become one of the most strident voices for the emancipation of women in our world today.
The 2026 commemoration emphasised the theme “Empowered Women Empower Nations,” calling for greater accountability regarding economic equality and the persistent challenge of gender-based violence within South Africa. The event highlighted that while significant progress has been made since 1956, the mandate for equal access to wealth and opportunity remains a central focus for the government.
This report is based on information provided in an official media statement from the Presidency and reporting by SABC News. We are continuing to monitor official government channels for any follow-up policy announcements regarding international support for Afghan women’s organisations.