By: Phetogo Mabuza 02 September 2022

Attendees for the Young Women Empowerment programme

In celebration of Women’s Month, and to assist VUT students to navigate everyday challenges as women in the institutional community, the university held a Young Women Empowerment Programme at VUT Student Residences on Thursday, 25 August 2022.

The programme coordinators invited speakers from within and outside VUT to unpack topics like Gender-Based Violence (GBV), women entrepreneurship, termination of pregnancy and skin care empowerment.

The purpose of including GBV in the programme was to explore abusive relationships, how students can report and protect themselves from violence, and the repercussions that offenders may undergo.

Mpho Mohosa leads GBV at the South African Police Services (SAPS) while Pauline Kgaole is the Lifeline GBV ambassador.

Entrepreneur Iris Khosana presented women’s entrepreneurship. She encouraged young women to pursue entrepreneurship while providing advice on getting started.

Sister Ellen Sekere from Johnan Heyns Hospital and Clinic discussed termination of pregnancy. This feature aimed to elaborate on the pros and cons of unwanted pregnancy, termination, and contraceptives (family planning) as a far better and safer option.

Skincare empowerment was demonstrated by VUT student: Nombuso Ntshingla, a self-taught skin care enthusiast. She gave fellow students tips and routines for moist, toned, flawless skin.

This programme was meaningful to students as they were given an opportunity to engage and ask questions, to exemplify their interest and relatability to all topics covered.