Women on Farms Project calls for equal rights for women farm workers
On Friday, South Africans are honoring the lives of 69 peaceful protesters who were killed in Sharpeville in 1960.
63-year-old activist and retired farm worker Dina Ndleleni hoists a fist up at workers being transported from De Doorns in the Cape Winelands. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
As the country observes Human Rights Day, a feminist organisation has called for equal rights and the protection of women farmers.
On Friday, South Africans honoured the lives of 69 peaceful protesters who were killed in Sharpeville in 1960.
Their cause was to stand up against unjust pass laws and demand the right to live and move freely in the country.
More than 180 others were injured in retaliatory attacks by apartheid police.
Kara Mackay from Women on Farms Project said they want equal rights for women farm workers like their male counterparts.
"Also, because they're seasonal farm workers what happens is that if anybody is going to receive training or protective gear on farms it's going to be the male farmworker. But the women that a bussed in on these overloaded and unsafe trucks that come in and out of farms, they're not even considered. So, they're being sprayed upon, they have to enter the vineyards directly after spraying has taken place, which are all illegal practices," said Mackay.