Department of Science and Technology activities for Women's Month
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is hosting two events this month in celebration of Women's Month. The two events are the Women in Science Awards and a roundtable discussion on gender-based violence.
Media are invited to both.
1. Women in Science Awards
Date: Thursday, 17 August 2017
Time: 18h30 to 22h00
Venue: The Hilton Hotel, Sandton
Background
The DST has been hosting the South African Women in Science Awards (WISA) since 2003, in celebration of women in science and technology, and to profile the work of these women to inspire younger women.
Theme
The theme for WISA 2017 is "Women's economic empowerment in the changing world of work" (in line with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women priority theme for 2017).
Guest speaker
The DST, in line with the theme for the year, has invited Dr Nolulamo Gwagwa, currently CEO of Lereko Investments, a black-owned investment company, and one of the Lereko Metier Capital Growth Fund principals, to speak at this year's awards ceremony. Dr Gwagwa is a multifaceted woman – an accomplished development planner, business leader, and philanthropist.
She is a non-executive director of FirstRand, Massmart and Sun International, and is the Chairperson of Aurecon Africa. She recently served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Planning Commission.
2. Ministerial Round Table on Gender-Based Violence
Date: Saturday, 19 August 2017
Time: 9h00 – 12h00
Venue: The Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria
Background
In response to the recent spate of femicides in South Africa, the DST initiated a debate on gender-based violence, focusing on research conducted on the subject by the Human Sciences Research Council and other institutions, such as the Medical Research Council and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
The debate will bring together key stakeholders working on issues related to gender-based violence. It will be attended by researchers, academics, practitioners, policy-makers and activists.
Theme
The debate will take place under the theme "Gender-based Violence: Adolescent victims and offenders: reflection on evidence and practice”.
Panel
- Prof. Heidi van Rooyen, Human Sciences Research Council
- Prof. Rachel Jewkes, Medical Research Council
- Rev. Bafana Khumalo, Sonke Gender Justice
- Prof. Priscilla Reddy, Human Sciences Research Council
- Dr Marcel Londt, University of the Western Cape, and Director of the Child Abuse Therapeutic and Training Service
- Ms Lebogang Ramafoko, Soul City Institute for Social Justice
RSVP:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 083 400 5750
David Mandaha
Cell: 072 126 8910
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Cell: 082 566 0446
