#WomensMonth a time to celebrate and reflect

Today is the start of Women’s Month a time to celebrate women and to reflect on the unique challenges they face.

This Women’s Month IOL has chosen to celebrate all the aspects of being a woman, good and bad. 

So every day for the month of August we will feature a list of 8 (because August is the 8th month) about women. The lists will be as varied and diverse as women in South Africa are.

Because women are inspiring, women are geniuses. Women are mothers, daughters and sisters but women can also be criminals.

Women can kick ass in real life and in the movies. Women can be funny. Women can be deadly. Women can be bosses and bikers. Women can be victims. Women can be survivors. Women can be healers. 

South Africa's women's team celebrate after taking a wicket against the West Indies at the World Cup. Photo: Reuters/Lee Smith 

The big day this month is of course August 9, with this year being 61 years since the famous Women’s March to the Union Buildings to protest the extension of the pass laws to women.

If you don't know what the 1956 Women's March was about, read here

Because women are brave and can change the world.

We encourage you to join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #WomensMonth and send us ideas of all the things women are and can be.

Happy Women’s Month!

* Riana Howa is IOL's editor.