The Department for Women is concerned at the manner in which schoolgirls were treated at Turffontein’s private school, Jordao College, following suspicion of sexual activity on school premises.
This incident shows that we still have a long way to go in dealing with gender stereotypes in our society. Often women and girls are subjected to practices which infringes their fundamental right to equal treatment as is the case here.
For example, when a school girl falls pregnant, society discriminate and puts blame solely on the girl child while the one who impregnated her (even if it’s a school boy child) carries on with their life uninterrupted.
“The fact that the female learners were checked by female educators for alleged sexual activity after a cleaner found a used condom in the girl’s toilets, does little to preserve the dignity of the affected learners. The instinctive response from the school shows underlying societal stereotypes. It sends a negative message about the privacy and right to dignity of the girl child and women in society,” explains ministry spokesperson Kenosi Machepa.
That a used condom was found on school premises in the first place is a worrying factor and indicates the need to strengthen sexual education and life orientation at our schools.
The Department for Women commends the Gauteng Department of Education for steps taken to get to the bottom of the incident.
Enquiries:
Kenosi Machepa
Head of Communication
Cell: 072 571 2221
Tel: 012 369 0196
Email: kenosi.machepa@dwcpd.gov.za
