Melene Rossouw, a South African human and gender rights activist sat down to have a candid discussion about Women’s Day, gender and human rights and other issues related to the feminist movement in remembrance of the 1956 march to the Union Buildings which united women off all races.

On 9 August 1956 in excess of 20 000 across all races and socio-economic backgrounds marched the seat of South Africa’s government in opposition to South Africa’s racist pass laws. The pass laws required all black men to carry a government issued pass to live, work and transit through South African urban areas.

Melene Rossow matriculated from Kasselsvlei High School and graduated from the University of the Western Cape as an attorney. In 2018 she was selected as an Obama Foundation leader in Africa. In 2019 she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow by the US Department of State.

In 2017 Rossouw started the Women Lead Movement as an NGO to promote and advocate for gender rights and equality. The NGO has as one of its aims the desire to create an active citizenry to fight for women’s rights.