Int Women’s Day should serve as reminder of GBV, inequality: activists Director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Abused Women and Children Bernadine Bachar said equality for women remains a far cry. FILE: Protesters demonstrate against gender-based violence in front of Parliament on 30 June 2020. Picture: Kaylynn Palm/Eyewitness News. CAPE TOWN - Monday marks International Women's Day. In South Africa, many women, however, not only have to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also domestic violence, rape and femicide. Women's rights activists say the day served as a stark reminder of the injustices women face. Director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Abused Women and Children, Bernadine Bachar, said equality for women remained a far cry.