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Panel discussion celebrates DUT women

Panel discussion celebrates DUT women

Celebrating the 53rd Anniversary of the historic 1965 Women’s anti-pass march, DUT’s HIV and AIDS Centre in partnership with Ukhozi FM hosted a panel discussion aimed at addressing issues affecting female students…

Celebrating the 53rd Anniversary of the historic 1965 Women’s anti-pass march, DUT’s HIV and AIDS Centre in partnership with Ukhozi FM hosted a panel discussion aimed at addressing issues affecting female students.

Around the country this year’s Women’s Day celebrations took place under the theme “Together empowering women for development and gender equality.” The panel discussion was attended by students, with guest speakers Khosie Khuzwayo (SRC), Sister Zett Masondo (HIV/Aids centre), and Zama Mbambo (DramAIDE) with Ukhozi FM’s Vicky Masuku as the Master of Ceremonies.

Organiser of the discussion Oziel Mdletshe, health promoter at DUT said they wish to embrace the young women within the student population this Women’s month. “As young adults, the youth are faced with a great number of challenges while trying to work towards a brighter future for themselves.” The limitation of women in so many things in the country is why the discussion was specifically targeting women, explained Mdletshe.
The panel and students discussed intergeneration sex, alcohol abuse, testing on campus and stigmatisation. SRC gender officer Khosie Khuzwayo said they are aware of the issues facing female students, and to fight them they have various campaigns meant for educating and informing students. Like the “One girlfriend One boyfriend campaign”, which teaches students to have one partner at a time. Khuzwayo also said they encourage students to test for HIV, so that they know their status.

Sister Zett Masondo of the HIV/ AIDS Centre said at the centre they have an information office, research office on HIV/ AIDS for students, Health Promoters and Peer educators. She said one of their greatest challenge is students are still a bit hesitant to test. Scrutinize’s Zama Mbambo gave words of motivation to students when she said “background does not determine your future” She encouraged students to make sound decisions about their future and know what they want from life.

-By Andile Dube

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