Screw your flowers. We want wild.
We received an email from a certain online florist this month, which made us livid.
"Honour her this Women's Day with flowers".
Screw that!
Women remain among the most vulnerable in our society and continue to be discriminated against, harassed, and marginalised daily.
Why should you care about Women’s Day in South Africa?
On 9 August 1956, 20,000 women marched to Pretoria in one of the largest mass demonstrations in the history of South Africa.
Read that again: THE LARGEST MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN HISTORY.
On Women’s Day, we should think back to those women who marched in 1956 with a clear focus on women’s rights. Women's Month is our annual reminder that womxn can rock the world (and deserve more than your wretched bouquet).
Sophia Theresa Williams-De Bruyn is the last surviving leader of the historic 1956 Women’s March. Women's Day is our reminder that the rebellions are not done.
Don't forget that you are agents of change. You are part of an army. You are dignified. You are courageous.
All you have to do, is "Be part of such bravery".
Be an agent of change this Women’s Month
August is also the Comrades Marathon month. Our friend Shona (a sports scientist from Coach Parry who schooled and strengthened us in the last Hiking Workshop) told us an interesting fact. Did you know? Women could only start running races in 1975! WTAF?
The race has been run for 100 years. For years, women would sneak into the race and run anyway, and we love the thought of these little acts of marathon mutiny.
It’s just one example of how womxn are powerful agents of change.
Women are especially vulnerable in this climate crisis, but we are also uniquely positioned to act as powerful agents of change.
On average, women have smaller carbon footprints than men, more-responsible attitudes toward climate change, and greater interest in protecting the environment.
Heck yeah, we do!
1. Get your hands dirty at a reforesting festival
As an official Supporting Partner for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Greenpop makes it pretty easy to make a difference.
Take one week out of your normal life to create a real, long-term environmental impact this October. Get your hands dirty at the Eden Festival of Action in the Garden Route.
Expect a week of tree planting, and a full line-up of workshops, talks and activities from sustainability experts. Evenings are filled with campfire sessions, storytelling and music from some of South Africa’s finest musicians. Connect with like-minded people from all around the world while creating a change you can see first-hand.
Use our 10% discount code when buying your ticket - FOA22_womxn - and tell your friends. For every five people booked, one goes free!
Where and when? 2 – 9 October 2022 | Wild Spirit Lodge, Garden Route.
2. Visit more wild places
Did you know? In most regions of the world, women make up the majority of the tourism workforce. Tourism has been proven to provide pathways to empowerment.
Use Heritage Month as a great excuse to plan a trip and participate in National Parks Week from 11 to 16 September 2022, meaning free entry into almost all the country’s national parks, including the Kruger!
3. Let's support female guides
Female guides are few, and a big focus here at Womxn for Wild is highlighting female experts in their field. Make an active effort to support womxn forging a career in the largely male-dominated outdoor world.
We’re planning a birding getaway in collaboration with BirdLife South Africa, guided by their expert female community bird guides. Our base will be underrated Umlalazi, and we'll behold ancient forests on immersive walks and paddle along the languid lagoons looking for kingfishers. It's planned for early February 2023, and all participants will score a BirdLife membership to kickstart their big birding life!
(Think birding is not for you? This first-timer's fall into birding might make you think differently).
4. Empower yourself in the mountains
Let us be your partner in climb. We're here to prove that a womxn's place is EVERYWHERE. There are still a few spots on our hiking workshop for beginners taking place from 3 - 6 November 2022.
Every experience you join advances your journey to become an agent of change.
Through our adventures, we can give back to an NPO or organisation we have personally vetted doing incredible work in South Africa or Africa. From conserving endangered animals to supporting local people and female-focused organisations.