WOMEN AND READING: IMPROVING LITERACY THROUGH READING FOR A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW

Every year in August, South Africa pays tribute to the 20 000 women, who on the 9th of August 1956, marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the apartheid system pass laws. National Women’s Day as it is commemorated is an opportunity to celebrate the social, political, and economic achievements of women; and to recognize the continuous effort of women working toward building a sustainable future. The story of Malala Yousafzai, a young activist for female education who was targeted and shot at the age of 15 for her efforts to promote education, is a poignant reminder that girls are still fighting for their right to equal opportunities, access to economic participation and the right to learn.
BACKGROUND
To promote a reading culture that empowers learning, the NRC in partnership with stakeholders aims to share reading resources and activate reading at schools and in communities to encourage reading for learning and enjoyment.
PURPOSE
To further extend its mandate to activate reading club sessions, the NRC in collaboration with Dr Dlamini and the Vhembe districts, will host a Face to Face Women’s Day Reading Club session to review Dr Dlamini and Ms. Masango’s book ‘Grow to Be Great: Awesome African Achievers’. The purpose of the reading session is to foster vibrant engagement; create awareness and excitement around reading as a catalyst to improve literacy, and to work towards addressing gender inequalities by encouraging women and girls to be active participants in shaping a sustainable tomorrow.