Taking a look at the challenges women face
Debate formed part of Women's Month celebrations
The Johannesburg Student Council (JSC) joined the Women’s Month programme, and had the opportunity to debate issues affecting women in society.
They were joined by the Speaker of Council, councillor Vasco da Gama; the Chief Whip of Council, councillor Kevin Wax; Chairperson of the Gender, Youth and Disability Division (GEYODI) of the Gauteng Provincial Government, councillor Nazley Sharif, and councillor Nakeeta Delwaria.
During the celebration, they were joined by special guest speakers, all women who are employees of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), who took the opportunity to share their inspirational stories. They were Natasha De Matos (Mrs Africa 2018 finalist), Petra Smit (4th Dan karateka and 1st Dan Krav Maga) and Thusani Rubadiri, who successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Junior Speaker, Elizabeth McQuarrie, highlighted the impact of the stories of all the guest speakers and said that she, as a young woman, was enlightened and motivated by these stories to go out and make a difference. All the female student councillors also wore kopdoeke (headscarves) as a symbol of respect towards women and their fight for equality, safety and justice in the world.
The Speaker of Council, councillor Vasco da Gama, also had the opportunity to address the gathering, and said, “In South Africa, the month of August is usually spent reflecting on the achievements of various women, but even as we celebrate, there is one issue which plagues our nation, and throws shadows over all that we achieve. The scourge of violence against women continues, and until we can stop the horrendous crimes perpetrated against women on a daily basis, all other advances made in the name of women’s rights will continue to feel hollow and incomplete.”
The JSC decided at their previous council meeting that they would be tackling many societal problems, including the many challenges faced by women, head on, and they raised many strong points during their debate. They also challenged stereotypes in society which discriminate against women, like the system of patriarchy in various cultures. One female student councillor also warned against the impact of forced societal gender categorisation, which, according to her, is one major impediment to women developing to their full potential.
Issues raised by the student councillors ranged from virginity, sexuality, violence against women, rape and murder to the achievements of women and their value for women’s rights, making for an intense, but also interesting, debate session.
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