PWMSAWomen's Voices, Collective Action, Social Transformation
PROGRESSIVE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA
Communications, Advocacy & Organisational Update | Reporting period: August–October 2026
Prepared by: Communications Office
For: National Working Committee, National Leadership and Provincial Structures.
Note from the CEO
As the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa (PWMSA) marks twenty years of organized struggle since our 2006 launch in Bloemfontein—and seventy years since the historic 1956 march on the Union Buildings—we are reminded that our fight for equality, dignity, and social justice remains as urgent as ever.
This reporting period has been a pivotal time for our movement. Through critical engagements like the Women's Parliament in Kimberley and our ongoing advocacy with media, labour, and government stakeholders, we have continued to place gender justice, economic empowerment, and accountability at the forefront of the national agenda. Today, the pass laws we resist are the realities of poverty, unemployment, and gender-based violence. We have firmly pressed the National Treasury to adequately fund the GBV disaster response, and we continue to demand that the protection of women's livelihoods remains central to every economic turnaround plan.
Thank you to our provincial structures, national leadership, and 35+ multi-sectoral affiliate organizations for your unwavering dedication. Let us keep building a better world, one act at a time.
Lulama Nare CEO, PWMSA
The Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa (PWMSA) continues to champion women's emancipation, gender equality, social justice and economic transformation. As a national, multisectoral movement, PWMSA brings together women across sectors to advance a common agenda for equality, dignity and meaningful participation in the development of South Africa.
Established in Bloemfontein on 8 August 2006, the Movement draws strength from the legacy of women's collective resistance, particularly the historic Women's March of 9 August 1956. That legacy places a responsibility on contemporary women's organisations to address the persistent inequalities affecting women and to advocate for practical, measurable change.
Building a Better World,
One Act at a Time
During the 2026 reporting period, communications work has focused on strengthening PWMSA's public visibility, amplifying its advocacy positions, leadership and stakeholder engagements, developing campaign materials and improving organisational communications. The work has also highlighted the importance of connecting public awareness with policy advocacy, government accountability, economic empowerment and the prevention of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
This newsletter consolidates key communications activities, campaign messages, event materials and organisational priorities developed during the reporting period. It is intended to provide leadership and provincial structures with a clearer picture of the communications work undertaken and the opportunities for strengthening PWMSA's public voice.
THE MOVEMENT AT A GLANCE
WOMEN'S MONTH 2026: Milestone of Resistance and Organisation
“Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo: seventy years of resistance, twenty years of organisation.”
August 2026 marked the most significant Women's Month in a generation, serving as a platform for the Movement to take stock, sharpen its demands, and put South African women back at the centre of public discourse.
20th Anniversary
Recommitted affiliates to our original mandate—uniting women, deepening government partnerships, and fighting discrimination in every sphere.
National Women's Day
Honoured icons Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, and the 20,000 women of 1956, declaring that today's pass laws are poverty, unemployment, and violence.
Women's Parliament, Kimberley
CEO Lulama Nare presented the final declaration report, placing gender justice, economic empowerment, and accountability for the Women's Charter on the national agenda.
Provincial dialogues
Convened community activations focusing on GBV, economic inclusion, and young women's rights, transforming Women's Month into a season of active organising and recruitment.
O U R M E S S A G E T H I S A U G U S T
The women of 1956 refused to carry passes. The women of 2026 refuse to carry poverty, violence and exclusion.
“Eleven women's bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July. Eleven lives lost, families shattered, and a nation demanding answers.”
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS & KEY MILESTONES (AUGUST–OCTOBER 2026)
PWMSA actively participated in high-level dialogues and stakeholder collaborations to expand its coalition:
An important platform for women's participation in democratic processes, policy discussions and advocacy on issues affecting women and their communities.
A media engagement opportunity to amplify PWMSA's advocacy priorities and contribute to public conversations on women's rights and social issues.
An invitation associated with women's leadership and empowerment. The specific event theme should be confirmed from the invitation.
A media engagement opportunity to share PWMSA's perspectives and strengthen the visibility of its advocacy work.
An invitation for stakeholder engagement in the Eastern Cape. The event's specific purpose should be confirmed against the original invitation.
An invitation connected to organised labour and stakeholder engagement, offering an opportunity to strengthen dialogue on workers' rights, gender equality and women's participation.
A further engagement opportunity involving organised labour and stakeholder collaboration. The specific event details should be verified.
An invitation to participate in an engagement associated with the Mining Qualifications Authority. The event's focus should be confirmed from the original invitation.
An invitation to a discussion on gender-based violence and femicide, creating an opportunity for dialogue on practical interventions, collaboration and support for affected individuals and communities.
Shaping the national conversation, holding power to account
Our voice in the media and in the corridors of power is a weapon of the struggle. These are the positions the Movement has advanced in the public domain.
Monitoring public spending on women
Monitoring public spending on gender programmes to ensure the femicide crisis remains a top national priority.
Fund the GBV disaster response: our call to National Treasury
Pressing National Treasury for dedicated, sustainable funding for GBV disaster response and survivor support.
Retrenchments are a gender issue
Demanding that the protection of women's livelihoods be prioritized in all employer and government turnaround plans amid waves of retrenchments.
In solidarity, Communications Office, PWMSA
Kumbukeni Children & Family Centre
105 William Nicol Drive, Fourways, Johannesburg
(011) 705 1960
General: info@pwmsa.org.za
Media: communications@pwmsa.org.za
Web: www.pwmsa.org.za