Women Who Changed the Conversation
Women's Month is the perfect time to celebrate and recognise the women who have made waves, broken barriers and made life a little easier for the women who came after them.
And while there are countless South African women worth celebrating, we wanted to shine a light on a few who remind us why women's voices, health and wellbeing matter.
Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim: Knowledge is Power
If you've ever been told that knowing your health status is empowering, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim is one of the women who helped make that message so powerful.
A leading epidemiologist and HIV researcher, her work has transformed our understanding of HIV prevention, particularly among women and young people.
Her legacy? Ask questions. Get informed. Know your status.
The more we understand our health, the better equipped we are to take care of ourselves.
Professor Salome Maswime: Making Maternal Health Matter
Pregnancy and childbirth can be incredible experiences, but they also come with real health risks. Professor Salome Maswime has spent her career advocating for better maternal healthcare and working to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Her work is a reminder that women's health isn't something we should only talk about when something goes wrong. Women deserve quality care, support and to be taken seriously at every stage of life.
Charlotte Maxeke: A Woman Who Wasn't Afraid to Break the Rules
Charlotte Maxeke was making history as an educator, activist and trailblazer. She became the first Black South African woman to earn a university degree and dedicated much of her life to education and women's empowerment.
Her story reminds us that knowledge gives women choices. That includes understanding our bodies and advocating for our health.
Lillian Ngoyi: Never Underestimate the Power of Your Voice
Lillian Ngoyi was one of the incredible women behind the 1956 Women's March, when thousands of South African women stood together to challenge apartheid laws.
Her courage is a good reminder that speaking up can create change.
Your health concerns are valid. Your questions are valid. And yes, you are allowed to ask for answers.
Their Legacy, Our Health
These women changed South Africa in big ways. But their stories also remind us of something much closer to home: we all have a role to play in looking after ourselves and each other.
So this Women's Month, celebrate the women who paved the way and take a little inspiration from them.
Here's to the women who changed the conversation and to all of us keeping it going.
