On August 9th, 2024, the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng marked Women's Day with a significant event in Midvaal, combining a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness walk with a donation drive for essential healthcare and feminine hygiene products.

Event Highlights:
1. GBV Awareness Walk: The day commenced with a walk aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence. This set a serious and purposeful tone for the rest of the event.
2. Donation Drive: The primary focus was on distributing healthcare and feminine hygiene products to various NGOs that provide safe havens for women and children who are victims of GBV.
3. Attendance: The event saw a remarkable turnout, with over 230 women participating from various parts of Midvaal and surrounding areas.
4. Empowerment Messages: Throughout the day, speakers shared messages of hope and empowerment, emphasizing the DA's commitment to fighting for women's rights and safety.
5. Notable Speakers: The event featured several prominent women leaders from the DA, including:
• Angel Khanyile MP
• Crezane Bosch MPL
• Refiloe Nt'sekhe MPL
• Bridget Masango MP
• Sally Nene Cllr
• Prudence Hlanyane, Vaal Regional Chair
• Refiloe Teixeira, Interim Chair Midvaal Dawn

Key Partnerships:
The DA collaborated with several NGOs and government entities to make the event possible. Notable partners included:
• Tosunga Baninga (For Survivors by Survivors)
• Intouch Youth Development
• Thuthuzela Care Centre
• Trillium NPC
• Weeds and Seeds Farming Community
• South African Blood Service
• South African Police Service

Event Theme and Goals:
This year's Women's Day celebration in Midvaal centered on creating awareness about GBV and highlighting organizations that assist victims. The DA aimed to represent every sphere of society, which they claim to have achieved successfully.

Donations:
The event organizers reported donating sanitary products and food items to various NGOs, though specific quantities were not provided. DA's Stance: The Democratic Alliance reiterated its commitment to:
1. Fighting for women's representation ("a woman's seat at the table")
2. Creating an environment conducive to women's growth and safety
3. Continuing efforts to combat gender-based violence

Message to Women:
The DA conveyed a message of perseverance to women, drawing parallels to the historic 1956 women's march against pass laws. They encouraged women facing difficulties, especially GBV victims, to seek help from available organizations and not to give up.

Critical Analysis:
While the event appears to have been well-attended and focused on crucial issues, the report lacks specific details on the exact quantities of donations made or the names of speakers at the event.
Additionally, while the DA's message is clear, there's no mention of concrete policy proposals or specific actions the party plans to take to address GBV beyond awareness and support.