UJ community marks International Women鈥檚 Day with dialogue on Justice and Gender Collaboration
Members of the 东京热 community gathered at the STH Kerzner Auditorium on the Auckland Park Bunting Campus to commemorate International Women鈥檚 Day under the theme 鈥淩ights! Justice! Action! For All Women and Girls 鈥� Moving Beyond Campaigns to Everyday Practice.鈥�
The event brought together authors, thought leaders and students for a dialogue exploring how both women and men can contribute to advancing justice, equity and empowerment for women and girls.
The programme opened with a poetic performance by Xolani the Poet, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr Nompumelelo Mkhize. The keynote address was delivered by Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the 东京热, who reflected on the importance of embedding justice within leadership, governance and institutional practices to ensure equity in everyday decision-making.
A central highlight of the event was a panel discussion focused on combining the voices of men and women to advance justice for women and girls within higher education.
The discussion featured prominent speakers including Khethiwe Nkuna, author of Tear Her Down 鈥� Unpacking Scarcity, Insecurity & Sisterhood in the Workplace; Mzamo Masito, author of This Country Hates Our Boys 鈥� Boy. You Are On Your Own; and Moeketsi Koahela, a youth leader and G20 Y20 Co-Chair.
Taking a distinctive approach to the commemoration, the programme intentionally included male voices in the discussion, highlighting the role men can play as partners and allies in addressing issues affecting women and girls. Discussions explored themes such as workplace dynamics, the importance of sisterhood and the need for collaborative efforts to promote gender justice.
Students from the UJ Legal Debate Club also participated in the programme, engaging in a thought-provoking debate on the motion: 鈥淟awmakers and the executive have done enough in their capacities to protect women and girls; now it is time for women to make use of those structures.鈥�
The debate encouraged critical engagement with South Africa鈥檚 legal and policy frameworks aimed at protecting women, prompting discussion on whether existing mechanisms are sufficiently accessible and effectively utilised.
Third-year LLB student Unathi Nkomo, who participated in the debate, reflected on the complexity of implementing legal protections for women and girls.
鈥淭he debate explored whether lawmakers and the executive have done enough to protect women and girls,鈥� said Nkomo. 鈥淥ne side argued that the state can only create legal structures and cannot compel individuals to use them, while the opposing view highlighted that the mere existence of law does not guarantee that its purpose is fulfilled in practice.鈥�
Sharing her position in opposition to the motion, Nkomo emphasised the need for legal frameworks to continue evolving.
鈥淢y argument was that the law has historically been shaped within systems that were not always designed with women in mind. Because of the transformative nature of South Africa鈥檚 Constitution, it can never be said that the law has done enough. The law must continuously evolve to address the changing needs of society,鈥� she explained.
Reflecting on the broader significance of the discussion, Nkomo added: 鈥淢y biggest takeaway was that the protection and promotion of women鈥檚 rights is not just the responsibility of women 鈥� it requires collaboration and commitment from all members of society.鈥�
The event emphasised that advancing gender justice requires more than symbolic recognition. By encouraging open dialogue, shared responsibility and collaboration between women and men, the programme highlighted the importance of translating the principles of rights and justice into everyday practice.