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UFS Reflections Series: Gender inequalities and gender-based violence

21 July 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath | Photo istock

Date: 28 July 2020

Time: 14:00 – 15:30

Gender inequalities domestic violence and gender-based violence (GBV) are global concerns, and have been exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19 as women take on more child and care work responsibilities. Jobs lost in service sectors often affect women most, large numbers of frontline health workers and teachers are women, and lockdowns increase domestic violence. Thus President Cyril Ramaphosa recently said in a televised address that more than 21 women and children have been murdered in South Africa within just a few weeks in what he referred to as “another pandemic raging in our country.” He said this “violence being unleashed on women and children with a brutality that defies comprehension, is no less than a war being waged against the women and children of our country”.

As the World Economic Forum points out, regardless of where one looks, it is women who bear most of the responsibility for holding societies together, be it at home, in health care, at school, or in caring for the elderly. In many countries, women perform these tasks without pay.

Now, the Covid-19 pandemic is compounding existing gender inequalities, and increasing risks of gender-based violence. Gender inequality, layered along with the effects of the pandemic, lockdowns and the economic downturn, could leave a deep and lasting impact on the lives and opportunities of women and girls.

Given, then, that the COVID-19 crisis affects women and girls in different ways from men and boys, measures to resolve it must take gender into account, and the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls prioritized.

To take up these issues of gender inequalities and gender-based violence, two renowned gender research experts will take part in our webinar. The webinar will be chaired by Professor Melanie Walker of the University of the Free State. The presenters are: Professor Pumla Gqola, Professor of Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University and author of Rape: A South African Nightmare. Lisa Vetten has worked in the field of violence against women for over two decades as a counsellor, para-legal, trainer and researcher. She is currently an honorary research associate at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER).

Join us from 14:00 to 15:30 on 28 July.

RSVP to Sibongile Mlotya at MlotyaS@ufs.ac.za no later than 26 July, upon which you will receive a Business for Skype meeting invite.

News Archive

Young entrepreneur takes tech world by storm

2016-09-14

Steuda, a website which aims to simplify
the lives of students.
Logo: Supplied

Alexi Carreira, a young entrepreneur hopes to simplify the lives of students and help them become successful with the aid of his new website, Steuda.

Says Alexi, a student at the University of Free State who is currently busy with his Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration: “My willpower to be successful in my purpose motivates me, but more than that, God’s will for me to help others succeed.”

The purpose behind the website

Steuda is a platform for students, by a student, that aims to create a brand for students to advertise what they have to offer and to receive information from their peers about textbooks, course material, and accommodation - even just a lift home.

According to Alexi, Steudacurrently has six categories, general buying and selling, buying and selling of textbooks, accommodation, bursaries, job opportunities and community information. “We are in the process of providing extra short courses which students will be able to do online and once completed, they will receive a certificate of completion.

Becoming successful and pursuing your dreams

Alexi wants to simplify and empower the lives of students. Having Steudabecome a successful and well-known brand is his main goal. “My goal is for Steuda to become a national platform for students to use when they need anything or want to offer anything pertaining to student life.”

Alexi tells young entrepreneurs who are pursuing their dreams: “Do not allow the fear of past or current situations to define you. Be resilient. It’s a blessing to fail while attempting what you love.”

Steuda launches on 14 September and will be available at: www.steuda.co.za

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