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Young Women’s Empowerment Workshop

Young Women’s Empowerment Workshop

Grade 11 female pupils from Westmead Secondary School were invited to a Young Women’s Empowerment Workshop held at ML Sultan on Friday 9 March. The Durban University of Technology and Pinetown Police Gender forums , joined forces to organise this life-changing workshop. The chairperson of Gender Forum , Ranilla Pillay and Captain Jay Govender from the SAPS were elated that the event was a success and have agreed to work together on other such events.

The event themed “connecting girls and inspiring futures” was held in recognition of International Women’s Day. It focused on further education and the safety of women in modern society. Guest speakers pursuing careers or working in previously male-dominated fields such as law and quantity surveying were invited to speak to the pupils. This awakened the girls to an array of career opportunities, also emphasising that women can follow any career path.

Constable Nozipho Khuzwayo educated the girls on gender issues such as rape and domestic violence and enlightened them on how to protect themselves in these situations based on the Sexual Offences Act.

The DUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Bawa expressed deep gratitude for the involvement of the SAPS in this workshop. He encouraged the pupils to obtain qualifications, build friendships amongst each other and to be safe at all times.

Westmead Secondary School, like many primary and high schools visited by the SAPS – Pinetown Gender forum, is situated in an impoverished area. Capt Govender says the majority of youngsters in such areas lack motivation to get further education due to poverty. This is where Capt Govender’s forum intervenes, inspiring youngsters, particularly young women, to dream big. “We have a social responsibility to inspire the youth and to ensure that they progress in life. We show them that poverty doesn’t necessarily prevent them from studying further,” said Capt Govender

The girls were thankful to have attended the workshop. Thembeka Ngcobo (16) said all the guest speakers have inspired her to work harder towards fulfilling her dream of becoming a beautician.

–Naledi Hlefane

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