08 August 2013

Commemorating women in the struggle – a SAHA educators’ guide

Cover of SAHA's Exhibitions in the Classroom booklet: 'Women Hold Up Half the Sky'To mark Women's Month in 2013, SAHA has produced an educational booklet to accompany the SAHA exhibition kit: Women Hold up Half the Sky: Commemorating women in the struggle, currently on display at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Within the exhibition, artifacts from the SAHA archives document the role played by women in the struggle against apartheid and explores how these strong women handled certain challenges in the quest for a South Africa that is free from unjust laws and gender-based discrimination.

The guide uses the panels of the exhibition to help educators explore with their learners the role of women in the struggle against apartheid and threats to the rights of women today.

As South Africans acknowledge the significant role played by women in shaping the history of this country during the month of August, SAHA felt it important to create this resource for educators to use in the classroom to engage with young minds about the contribution made by yesteryear heroines.

The guide also features interactive and thought-provoking activities which will help learners explore issues affecting women and the impact of gender-based discrimination in society today.

There are many initiatives in South Africa that are aimed at raising awareness about the negative impacts of gender-based violence, discrimination and prejudice. However, many women are still battling against these issues.

Hopefully, by drawing on the experiences of the women of yesterday, the present-day generation will gain lessons on how to tackle some issues affecting women and girl children in our societies today.

This guide can be downloaded, free of charge (by registered users of the SAHA website - register now) 

Download Women Hold Up Half the Sky: Exhibitions in the Classroom booklet (5mb)

 

ACCESSING THE EXHIBITION ONLINE

There is also an online version of the Women Hold Up Half the Sky exhibition kit that includes downloadable copies of many of the primary sources – posters, photographs, pamphlets, reports, speeches - that appear in the exhibition panels. 

SAHA Exhibition kits available on loan


The exhibition kit currently on display is just one of the various exhibition kits SAHA has developed which are available on loan to community-based organisations, heritage institutions and schools.

Read how you can borrow SAHA exhibition kits.

 

Access the exhibition online

There is also a virtual exhibition of the same theme.

View the online exhibition