“VUT’s Assoc. Prof. Rene van Eck reflects on Women’s Month 2025, discussing gender equality, mentorship, inclusivity, and empowering women in academia.”
26 August 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Supplied
3 minutes read time.
Women’s Month is not only a moment of celebration but also a mirror reflecting progress, challenges, and the road still ahead. For Associate Professor Rene van Eck from the Department of Information and Communication Technology at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), the 2025 national theme, “Accelerate Action: Speeding Up Gender Equality,” is more than a slogan, it is a lived imperative.
“In my view, this theme is a call to act, not through symbolic gestures, but by fostering meaningful change. It was not gender equality policies that shaped my academic journey, but rather the encouragement from those who recognised my potential, irrespective of gender. To accelerate action, we should build environments that value competence and commitment, particularly for women who frequently juggle multiple roles,” she reflected.
Linked with VUT’s own theme, “She Shapes Tomorrow,” Professor van Eck observes that women often influence the future quietly yet profoundly within academia and beyond. “Women in academia frequently contribute empathy, resilience, and a student-centred approach that has a lasting influence on learning and growth. This effect extends into communities and policy spaces, where women continue to lead with empathy and clarity.”
Over the years, she has witnessed greater representation of women in higher education leadership, yet she cautions that progress must be anchored in genuine competence rather than quota fulfilment. “Women who balance personal and academic responsibilities may find it difficult to dedicate the time and visibility required for leadership posts. These challenges are often felt deeply, even though they are not always visible.”
For universities such as VUT, Professor van Eck believes intentional support is vital. This includes:
- Structured mentorship programmes
- Flexible working arrangements
- Transparent promotion criteria
- Leadership development initiatives for women
- Safe spaces for dialogue and peer support
She emphasises that accelerating change also means tackling leadership gaps, pay equity, and access to research opportunities. Such work requires data-driven accountability, inclusive recruitment, and an institutional culture that lives gender equality rather than merely recording it.
Curricula and teaching practices, she argues, play an equally critical role. Diverse voices must shape course content, and teaching must foster inclusivity, critical thinking, and respect. Men, too, are central as mentors, allies, and advocates. Reflecting on her own academic journey, she credits male mentors who believed in her abilities—support that helped her pursue her doctorate at 47 and attain professorship at 52.
“Do not wait for approval to achieve your goals; have confidence in your abilities,” she advises young women. “Seek out mentors who will challenge and encourage you. Strive for excellence, because skill speaks louder than stereotypes. And remember that empathy is a strength, not a weakness.”
Now, shaped by those who believed in her, Professor van Eck works to pay it forward. “I now seek to shape tomorrow by mentoring others, advocating for merit-based recognition, and creating spaces where students and colleagues feel valued and empowered.”
For her, Women’s Month should not end in posters and speeches. “It should be a time for reflection, accountability, and planning. Universities can use it as a platform to launch mentorship programmes and to celebrate genuine achievements.” As South Africa reflects on three decades of democracy, she reminds us that empowerment is only sustainable when policy becomes practice. “Empowerment must be embedded in institutional culture, funding priorities, and leadership development. Sustainability comes from consistency, accountability, and community.