Back Chat: Economically empowering young women

 The unequal power dynamics based on gender have been well documented in South Africa resulting in our alarming incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. Underlying these power dynamics are structural and legal frameworks that see women at the bottom of the socio-economic pie.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), through the Higher Education and Training Health, Wellness and Development Centre (HEAIDS) held a BackChat with Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Under the theme: “Building State Capacity to meet the economic, social and judicial challenges facing women post-apartheid” the BackChat will focued on the public service and its relationship with women, young women in particular. The conversation, which was attended by approximately 50 students unpacked the challenges of a women-centred developmental state’ with the view to addressing issues of capacity, representatively and gender-based consciousness 

Participants raised many issues ranging from women and access to land, economic opportunity, cultural constraints for true empowerment and the lack of support from SAPS. Please find the live video streamed here-https://www.facebook.com/heaids/