Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) management has taken a groundbreaking, and proactive step, forming a Men’s Forum for Change (MFC) to deal with the gender-related discrimination. Under the leadership of Dr Siphelele Zulu, the Senior Director of Human Resources and Development, the MFC invited Mr Aubrey Matshiqi (Helen Suzman Fellow), and Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality), on 28 May 2013, to address the University’s male management, staff and students on gender issues, as the scourge of gender-based violence seems to be rearing its ugly head in our society, though there is statistical evidence that the phenomenon is being arrested.
Mr Matshiqi argued that even wearing pants is a man-made necessity, not a natural requirement. He pointed out that it is important for men to understand that issues like race, being male, positions in society, etc, are all centres of power that have been made to favour men, and in the process women suffer, and black women’s suffering is tripled. “What has been fed into our minds perpetuates the gender stereotypes.”
Mr Shozi engaged both staff and students on the role of men in transformational agenda in tertiary institutions. On the hindsight, this was also aimed at raising awareness and solicit ideas on how sexual harassment conduct can be completely uprooted within the university. Mr Shozi emphasised the role that men can play in ensuring that gender based violences and other related atrocities against women and children are uprooted in our society that includes universities. Creating conducive environment where boys and girls can co-relate without a fear of sexual harassment and date rapes in campuses can go along way in addressing issues of gender based violence.
Responding to a culture-based question from the floor, Mr Shozi advised MUT men, who included male students, to note that different places have different cultures. “At MUT, and other corporate environments, there is a different culture, which all of us have to understand and comply with. Your behaviour will be judge according to the relevant guidelines, while at other different places a culture-based behaviour may be seen in a different light, and may even be accepted. Just be careful of what you do, where,” said Mr Shozi.
Mr Shozi further mentioned that men are also oppressed by being forced to take on all responsibilities that are associated with men, but could easily be assumed by women too. It was his view that culture has divided labour such that men find themselves over burdened.
It is against this backdrop that the CGE will continue to engage other institutions of higher learning and schools in an endeavour to create a society free from gender oppression and inequality. “Gender based violence requires a consented efforts from all sectors of our society and the university offers platform to create responsible men that will help educate fellow-men against the scourge,” said Mr Shozi, the Chairperson of the Commission for gender Equality.
