Women’s Month at CPUT was celebrated with a series of events, including the launch of the Institutional Position Statement on Gender-Based Violence.
At the launch event Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo emphasised that there was no place for gender-based violence at CPUT.
“We don’t have tolerance for gender-based violence and as an institution we are going to deal harshly with all these particular aspects if they try in any way to rear their ugly head within the confines of CPUT.”
The event saw the launch of the CPUT Men’s Forum which aims to involve men to be part of the solution in the fight against gender-based violence.
The university also hosted a successful Young Women Empowerment Conference, which was attended by close to 200 female students from Western Cape higher education institutions.
The programme included speakers talking about dealing with the challenges of HIV/Aids and gender-based violence as well as workshops on everything from digital storytelling to leadership lessons and personal development tips.
CPUT co-hosted the Albertina Sisulu Centenary Panel Discussion with the Department of Arts & Culture and SAfm.
This year South Africa is celebrating the centenary of Sisulu who was born on 21 October 1918. The event was broadcast live on SAfm.
“Gender discrimination and unequal power relations are significant challenges for women in universities and UOT’s. We have to address those if we want to change this picture. There is the stereotype that women cannot be high level executives, the stereotype that women should remain modest nurturers and in care based professions is perpetuated daily,” said panellist Dr Trunette Joseph from the Faculty of Engineering during the discussion.
Faith Sibiya from the CPUT SRC: Mowbray Campus also served as a panellist.
