Minister Bathabile Dlamini congratulates the Commission for Gender Equality and the SRC of the University of Zululand
The Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, Minister Bathabile Dlamini congratulates the Commission for Gender Equality for responding with urgency and independence to the complaint by the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Zululand regarding the expulsion of pregnant students from university residences.
The Minister further salutes the SRC of the University for responding with fearlessness against the exclusion of their peers from opportunities of higher learning.
“This is a grave act of Gender-Based Violence. Female students do not impregnate themselves. To expel the females and leave their partners is to further perpetuate gendered inequalities because in essence, you are depriving young women of their right to education. You thus threaten to undo decades of women’s struggles against social, political and economic barriers that have historically kept us away from the doors of higher learning,” said the Minister.
The Minister urges all SRCs across the country to emulate the actions of UniZulu students of standing up to reject any attempts by those in power to reverse the gains of the women’s movement.
“There has been a steady rise in depression, anxiety, and other mental health and psychosocial disorders in University Campuses across the country in recent years. Expelling female students only serves to add to these difficulties,” emphasized the Minister.
The Minister further notes reports that although the university has a larger number of female than male employees, this scale was not reflected in its senior management. It is equally disappointing to learn that the sexual harassment policy of the university still in draft form.
The Minister urges the university to contribute to national efforts of ending gender inequalities by transforming its approach to learning and teaching.
Victims, survivors and witnesses of Gender-Based Violence and those who want to speak up against violence can call social workers 24 hours a day on the government’s Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428. A Please Call Me can also be sent to *120*7867#.
Enquiries:
Mandla Tshabalala
Cell: 084 304 6239
Email: mandla.tshabalala@women.gov.za
