Women have been encouraged to not only be bold for change, but be the same in celebrating their achievements and in loving each other during the Durban University of Technology’s Gender Forum International Women’s Day celebration.

The Gender Forum and DUT community celebrated this historical day at the University’s Hotel School, Ritson Campus. International Women’s Day is commemorated worldwide and is aimed at celebrating women’s achievements; be it social, political or in any other sphere. The event also seeks to address issues relating to gender equality. International Women’s Day was first celebrated in February 1909 in New York, however, at the time it was known as International Working Women’s Day.

Addressing women, Dr Reverend Delysia Timm, Institutional General Education Co-ordinator, encouraged women to be bold in all that they do and to never forget to give love. “Believe in yourself. Be bold in every role that you take. Women are conquers and love conquers it all. Never forget to give love even with those who don’t love you back and be deliberate”, she said.

Further echoing Dr Timm’s sentiments, Gender Forum Chairman, Dr Rosalina Govender, said it was the role of each and every women to take a bold step in empowering each other and acknowledging each other’s achievements while not forgetting the issues women face. “As women, we need to empower ourselves. We need to be bold for change. We need to address the fact that the world needs to be more gender inclusive. We must celebrate our achievements as women. We have come very far with our struggle,” said Dr Govender.

The celebration ended on a high note with all the women and men in agreement that addressing gender equality will be more of a success if done as a collective.

– Noxolo Memela

Pictured: High spirits during the DUT Gender Forum’s International Women’s Day celebrations.

– Picture by: Sthabile Gwala