The International Student’s Organisation and the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) International Education and Partnership hosted an open Women’s Month Dialogue #MenAreTrash (Yes or No), at the Steve Biko Campus Art Gallery, last Friday.

# MenAreTrash is a term often used on twitter and other social media platforms as South Africa’s Response to Domestic Violence. This hashtag has become the united call for those who want to stop the widespread of violence against South African women by their male partners.

#MenAreTrash began when a few women on social media, took it upon themselves to start calling out the problematic behaviour of men especially with regards to the emotional and physical abuse they had often experienced in their own relationships. The hashtag did not catch on initially and died down after a while. However, the hashtag has gained considerable ground and surpassed into an intense movement shedding light on the abuse and rape that is widespread in South Africa. It has also been publically endorsed by prominent South African personalities.

A panel discussion ensued with ISO members Phindile Mathebula, Zandile Lindo, Zothani Siphele, Kudzie Mutakaya, together with Jean-Marc Kakudji and Mwamba Nkvanga (ICON), on the trending topic, discussing the role of women in society and the world at large.

The issue of culture in women leadership was discussed, where it was said that men need to let go of the mentality of women needing to adhere to a cultural role in society. “As an African, we have traditions, but we also need to accept there are more women in power, but it is not something that will be overcome overnight so we as men have to choose which way we go,” said Kakudji.

Besides culture the issues pertaining to the high number of rapes and murders which have become rife in South Africa, was also debated.

There was also a guest speaker Phumza Sokhetye, a fashioner designer, author and academic, who spoke about her book called: Breaking Grounds and Defying all Odds from a South African Woman’s Perspective.

The discussion although not conclusive, sees that the challenge continues to all students, and urged South Africans to speak out against the epidemic of women murdered at the hands of their male partners.

Pictured: Jean-Marc Kakudji and Emmanuel Mangalibi, at the event.

Waheeda Peters