What role did the women play in civil society resistance from 1950 to the 1970s in South Africa?

Many women played important roles in the Civil Rights Movement, from leading local civil rights organizations to serving as lawyers on school segregation lawsuits. Many women experienced gender discrimination and sexual harassment within the movement and later turned towards the feminist movement in the 1970s.

What role did woman play in civil society resistance from 1950s to the 1990s in South Africa?

In the 1950s, the African National Congress turned to grassroots organizing to work against increasing racial restrictions. Women played a key role, encouraging the larger democratic movement to include women’s issues and fostering the leadership of women.

What is the role of women in the civil resistance in South Africa?

Urban women played a significant role in the struggle against Apartheid by entering into the labour force and taking jobs as both domestic workers and factory workers. These jobs helped women to make the connections necessary to form support for trade unions and ultimately anti-apartheid political organisations.

What forms of civil society protest emerged from 1950 to the 1990s?

• The Defiance Campaign is launched and women step forward.
• The Federation of South African Women ( FSAW or FEDSAW)
• Women’s role in the Congress of the Party and the Freedom Charter.
• The women’s 1955 anti-pass campaign.
• Preparations for the 1956 Women’s March.

What were women’s roles in the 1950s?

During the 1950s, gender roles dictated that men were the head of the household and the sole provider, while women were expected to be the homemaker who cared for the children.

Who were the leaders of the 1956 women’s march?

​​​​​On the 9th of August 1956, former South African anti-apartheid activist, Sophia Williams de Bruyn, alongside Helen Joseph, Lillian Ngoyi and Rahima Moosa, led over 20 000 women of all races to the Union Buildings in protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950.

What were the gender roles in the 1960’s?

At the beginning of the decade, women were portrayed on television and in advertisements as happy homemakers, secretaries, teachers, and nurses. Women who did not get married were depicted as unattractive, unfortunate spinsters, and those who asserted themselves were dismissed as nagging shrews.