9 August 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March, a defining moment in South Africa’s journey towards freedom, equality, and justice.
On that day, more than 20,000 women from every walk of life marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the extension of the Pass Laws. Led by extraordinary women including Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, they stood together in peaceful defiance, united by a vision of a fairer South Africa.
Their powerful declaration, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” (“You strike a woman, you strike a rock”), has echoed through generations as a symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering determination.
Today, 70 years later, we honour not only their bravery but also the progress women have made, and reflect on the work that still lies ahead.
A Different Kind of Freedom
The women who marched in 1956 fought for political freedom, human dignity, and equal rights. Their courage helped shape the democratic South Africa we know today.
Yet freedom is not only about the rights we possess but also about the opportunities we have to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Health is one of our greatest forms of empowerment.
A woman who is healthy is better equipped to care for herself, support her family, contribute to her community, and pursue her ambitions. Good health enables women not simply to survive, but to thrive.
Seventy Years of Progress
The world has changed dramatically since 1956.
Women today enjoy greater access to education, healthcare, leadership opportunities, and scientific advances than ever before. Maternal healthcare has improved, life expectancy has increased, and medicine has made remarkable progress in understanding conditions that primarily affect women.
Research has expanded our understanding of menopause, pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and many other aspects of women’s health that were once overlooked.
Importantly, the medical community has also recognised that women are not simply “small men.” Women have unique biological, hormonal, and metabolic needs that deserve dedicated research and personalised healthcare.
This progress is worth celebrating.
The Challenge of Modern Health
Despite these advances, women face a new and growing challenge.
Across South Africa and around the world, chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and metabolic dysfunction are increasing at an alarming rate.
Many women are balancing careers, caregiving, financial pressures, and countless daily responsibilities while navigating complex health challenges. Too often, the symptoms of poor metabolic health are accepted as an inevitable part of ageing rather than recognised as opportunities for prevention and early intervention.
At The Noakes Foundation, we believe that nutrition plays a vital role in improving health outcomes. While no single dietary approach is right for everyone, growing evidence continues to demonstrate the importance of reducing ultra-processed foods, prioritising nutrient-dense whole foods, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and supporting metabolic health throughout life.
Health should not be viewed merely as the absence of disease; it should be recognised as the foundation upon which women build their lives.
Empowering Women Through Knowledge
This year’s National Women’s Day theme, “Empowered Women Empower the Nation,” reminds us that empowerment begins with access to knowledge.
- Knowledge enables informed choices.
- Knowledge builds confidence.
- Knowledge creates healthier families and stronger communities.
The Noakes Foundation has been committed to advancing evidence-based nutrition science, supporting research, and making reliable health information accessible to the public. We believe every woman deserves the opportunity to understand her body, make informed decisions about her health, and access credible, science-based information.
When women are empowered with knowledge, they become powerful advocates for their own wellbeing and for the health of future generations.
Looking Forward
The women who marched in 1956 challenged a system because they believed South Africa could be better.
Seventy years later, we honour their legacy not only by remembering their courage but by continuing to pursue a future where every woman has the opportunity to live a healthier life.
As we celebrate National Women’s Day, let us recognise that true empowerment includes the ability to make informed choices about our health, our nutrition, and our future.
To every woman who leads, nurtures, teaches, heals, innovates, and inspires, thank you.
Your strength continues to shape our nation.
References
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. (2026). National Women’s Day 2026: 70th Anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March.
South African Government. (2026). National Women’s Day 2026.https://www.gov.za/WomensDay
South African History Online. (2015.). The 1956 Women’s March. https://sahistory.org.za/article/1956-womens-march-pretoria
World Health Organization. (2024). Women’s health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/women-s-health#tab=tab_1
World Health Organization. (2024). Noncommunicable Diseases Fact Sheets. https://www.who.int/health-topics/women-s-health#tab=tab_1
The Lancet. (2019). The Lancet Series on Women’s Health. https://www.thelancet.com/series-do/gender-equality-norms-health
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (2023). Global Burden of Disease Study. https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/gbd