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04 April 2024
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Story Lunga Luthuli
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Dr Juliet Kamwendo champions gender-inclusive climate action in Africa. Her expertise at the recently held AFR100 workshop highlighted vital steps towards sustainable and equitable development.
Dr Juliet Kamwendo, Lecturer and Programme Director for Gender Studies in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State, is spearheading efforts to integrate gender considerations into Africa's climate restoration agenda. Reflecting on her involvement, Dr Kamwendo stated, "This is particularly crucial, as women make up almost 50% of the population in Africa, and the depletion and degradation of land affect them disproportionately."
She recently served as a gender expert at the AUDA-NEPAD AFR100 workshop in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 25 to 29 March 2024. This initiative aims to restore forests and degraded land across Africa by 2030, with a focus on gender equality.
The workshop emphasised the integration of gender perspectives into the AFR100 project, acknowledging the disproportionate impact of land degradation on women. Dr Kamwendo's expertise highlighted the need to empower women in climate change interventions, addressing existing gender inequalities exacerbated by environmental degradation.
“Women – who are primarily responsible for household food security and water provision – bear the brunt of environmental degradation, leading to increased workloads, reduced income opportunities, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Furthermore, the loss of forest cover and biodiversity further exacerbates the challenges faced by women, particularly in rural areas where they depend heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods,” added Dr Kamwendo.
Her participation highlights academia's crucial role in fostering inclusive and sustainable development, emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex environmental challenges. Through initiatives such as AFR100, stakeholders are working towards a more resilient and gender-responsive future for Africa.
UFS becomes partner of national bursary competition for the performing arts
2008-11-28
The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) has become a partner of the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and the Dramatic, Artistic, and Literary Rights Organisation’s (DALRO) new bursary programme for the performing arts.
The ACT DALRO Scholarship Programme will be implemented for the first time in 2009. For the following three years (2009-2011) one learner will receive
R75 000 per year that will be used to pay for his/her studies to an accredited undergraduate tertiary institution of their choice in the performing arts.
Grade 12 learners are invited to participate in the national competition where their abilities to act, sing and dance will be judged. Individuals who already matriculated and who are not registered for a formal course in the performing arts, are also encouraged to participate. Schools, drama clubs and colleges may also register a group of learners.
An elimination round of the competition will take place next year on 21 and 22 July 2009 at the Scaena Theatre on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
The registration fee is R200 per participant and a limited number of registrations will be subsidised. The closing date for the applications for subsidies is 31 March 2009 and registration of individuals and/or organisations is 30 April 2009.
Register at the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the UFS or fax the necessary documents to 051 401 3494. Application forms, rules and requirements to prepare for the competition can be requested from kamperm.hum@ufs.ac.za or fax a request to 051 401 3493.
Finalists must be available for the final round that will take place in September 2009 in Johannesburg. ACT will carry the cost of the transport and accommodation of the finalists for the final round.
Ms Marijda Kamper can be contacted at 051 401 2160 or kamperm.hum@ufs.ac.za for more information regarding the Free State round. Mr Pieter Jacobs can be contacted at 011 802 7646 or pieter@act.org.za for general enquiries about the ACT Programme, or visit www.act.org.za .
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
28 November 2008