Meet PhD candidate Siphelele Mahlaba
Siphelele Nadia Mahlaba is a PhD candidate at the University of the Free State, Department of Sociology. She is also an Academic Facilitator under the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Free State, where she teaches Social Science Research at the Undergraduate level.
Her study delves into the experiences and viewpoints of married women under customary marriage in the Kingdom of Eswatini. It aims to understand their perceptions of the practice, the dynamics of gender violence and agency within customary marriages. The motivation behind this study stems from recognising the importance of understanding the experiences and perspectives of women married under customary marriage in the Kingdom of Eswatini. By investigating the experiences of women subjected to gender violence within customary marriages, the study aims to contribute to efforts aimed at promoting gender equality, women's rights, and the elimination of violence against women as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
In March 2023, Siphelele was appointed as a BRICS Research Project Development Fellow for the 2023/2024 term. The fellowship provides a platform for scholars, researchers and professionals from BRICS nations to engage in research activities that explore opportunities for cooperation, address common challenges and contribute to the sustainable development & advancement of the BRICS nations through conferences, workshops and seminars. In June 2023, she was selected to participate in the YALI RLC SA Online Programme Cohort under Civic Leadership. This programme is designed to empower young African Leaders and equip them with skills, networks and necessary resources to create positive change in their communities and across the continent. It also encourages young leaders to actively engage in their communities and contribute to sustainable development.
She is committed to the progression of knowledge and effecting constructive change in the domains of gender and development, social policy and migration studies. Due to her exceptional proficiency in research and her adeptness in collaborating with diverse groups, she is well-positioned to make noteworthy contributions in her field and positively impact the future of society.