Tag: Equality

Welcome to Womanity Women in Unity, for our special compilation of select programs over the last year. We hope to inspire you through the words of three remarkable women that have succeeded in their respective fields. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the Director-General of the World Trade Organization shares landmarks in her career and opening spaces for women. The High Commissioner of Jamaica to South Africa Joan Thomas Edwards encourages people to live their authentic selves and to recognise that various seasons of life will demand a different focus. Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Leona Theron discusses gender transformation in the judiciary and gives some insight into her life as someone who has risen beyond the circumstances that she was born into. We hope that this compilation encourages you to pursue your best.  Warm wishes for the festive season from Womanity

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December 21, 2023

Reflections From 2023: Women leading for Women and changing society

Welcome to Womanity Women in Unity, for our special compilation of select programs over the last year. We hope to inspire you through the words of three remarkable women that have succeeded in their respective fields. D...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Advocate Thando Gumede, a Commissioner for the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), which is one of six Chapter 9 institutions tasked with guarding South Africa's Democracy. We discuss the role of the CGE, which is mandated to promote, respect, protect, develop and attain gender equality, as well as making recommendations affecting the status of women. Several international instruments promote and uphold the rights of women, which have been ratified in South Africa. These include, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Sustainable Development Goals (notably Goal 5), and SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. These regional and global frameworks address diverse forms of gender discrimination #16DaysOfActivism. However, policy without implementation is meaningless. Citizens need to be aware of their rights, take ownership of them and act when infractions occur. People should also exercise their power on political leadership and hold them accountable to deliver what they commit to.  Advocate Gumede notes a positive trend where women are reshaping their ideals in society and recognising their value as individuals; they are not defining their identities in relation to someone else i.e. a girlfriend, fiancé, wife. Advocate Gumede reflects on her journey as a gender activist, where unfortunate circumstances in life redirected her passion for engineering and innovation to study law with an entrepreneurship mind set. She received an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation scholarship to finance her studies. After ten years in the making, she was appointed to be a Commissioner for the Commission for Gender Equality.  She reminds us to find our courage, that life is a constant journey, and to be receptive to inputs that shape us into becoming the humans we were destined to be. Tune in for more…

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December 15, 2023

Commissioner for the Commission for Gender Equality – Advocate Thando Gumede

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Advocate Thando Gumede, a Commissioner for the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), which is one of six Chapter 9 institutions tasked with guardin...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Ambassador of Austria to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun, who is also accredited to nine other countries in the region: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Ambassador Königsbrun shares some of the landmarks in her career, remarking on the positive impact of good bosses. Mentors nurture development and encourage mentees to stretch beyond their comfort zones and embrace opportunities for growth. Sometimes women are reluctant to apply for positions where they do not yet possess all the capabilities of a role, which is a disservice to themselves, rather see this as a chance to acquire new skills and advance yourself. Austria is involved in several projects in Africa, which include the renewable energy sector (SOLTRAIN), support for the interparliamentary forum for SADC and advocacy for women’s rights. Part of the Austrian Development Co-operation’s focus is on gender equality, for example, in relation to gender-based violence (GBV) it has programs to improve victim protection, where public prosecutors, judges and police receive training to sensitise them to various facets of GBV. Additionally, Austria has collaborated with SADC to create model law on GBV. This provides scalable benefits, where countries do not have to derive their own laws and can instead use systems that have already been created. Ambassador Königsbrun remarks on the importance of sisterhood and building relationships throughout your life. Networks are valuable constructs that you need to invest into; they are reciprocal. Women of today should look out for the next generation, offer them guidance so they can rise to their full potential. Tune in for more…

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November 15, 2023

Ambassador of Austria to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Ambassador of Austria to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun, who is also accredited to nine other countries in the region: Angola, Botswana, Eswa...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Liana Roodt who is a specialist general surgeon with a passion for cutting-edge breast care and surgery including breast conserving cancer surgery. Part of her practice’s value proposition is to offer not just surgery but access to a complete package of breast and personal health. During a cancer journey, at times patients are at their most vulnerable, but also at their absolute bravest and courageous. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month, this show continues to raise awareness of breast cancer and living with breast cancer. Statistically one out of every eight women will face a breast cancer diagnosis during her lifetime. The high incidence of breast cancer makes it one of the most researched types of cancers which leads to improvements in diagnosis and treatment. For some people receiving a cancer diagnosis is a point of confronting their mortality, dealing with fear and then going through the process of grief (denial, anger, acceptance). For women, who are generally care providers in the home, there is a necessary adjustment where they shift roles to be taken care of. In Dr. Roodt’s practice she emphasises holistic treatment that is interdisciplinary, including access to a psychologist, physiotherapist, body talk therapist, nutritionist, somatic therapist etc... This basket of services comes at cost, which may be financed in the private health sector for those with medical aid. However, the majority of the South African population rely on the public health sector, where there are often long waiting times for breast cancer patients to receive treatment. To help address this need Dr Roodt created Project Flamingo where on a weekly basis surgeons and anesthetists volunteer their time and skills at key academic hospitals in the Western and Eastern Cape to conduct lifesaving operations. There are several ways that people can support Project Flamingo, from monetary donations to packing pamper packs to volunteering their time. Tune in for more… Take action for breast cancer awareness, for yourself and others, support and help women today.

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November 2, 2023

Breast cancer awareness with specialist surgeon Dr Liana Roodt

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Liana Roodt who is a specialist general surgeon with a passion for cutting-edge breast care and surgery including breast conserving cancer surg...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Miss South Africa 2023, Natasha Joubert. We discuss her Miss SA journey, from childhood aspirations to be a woman that inspires others, to competing in 2020 and entering the Miss Universe stage, experiencing disappointment and overcoming depression to go on to win the Miss SA crown in 2023. A person’s encounters have an impact on their life, but Natasha emphasises that people should never allow themselves to be a product of their circumstances, but to be a product of their choices. This was the philosophy behind conceptualising her fashion brand Natalia Jeffreys, which was the product of her father losing his job and her mum’s determination for Natasha to continue competing in pageants and having the outfits to do so. Financial exclusion challenges people’s access to opportunity, but through Natasha’s determination she entered pageants and won bursaries that accumulated into her BCom Marketing Management qualification. Based on her lived experience part of her Miss SA endeavours is an education-based project that partners with institutions to award full bursaries to people that cannot afford to study. Tune in for more to hear this resilient, inspiring, young woman that embodies the four pillars of Miss South Africa – duty, championship, empowerment, and beauty. #SecondChances #Empowerment #Resilience #Dream

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October 26, 2023

Miss South Africa 2023 – Natasha Joubert – Resilient, Enterprising, Go-getter

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Miss South Africa 2023, Natasha Joubert. We discuss her Miss SA journey, from childhood aspirations to be a woman that inspires others, to competin...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Adele Da Veiga from the School of Computing in the College of Science Engineering and Computing at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who has a special interest in information security culture as well as data privacy. Her research raises important questions for consumers and businesses about what information can be disclosed; what measures are in place to protect information; where information is stored; how information is used; and who information is shared with. She notes that 74% of data breaches in organisations are a result of human error (social engineering). Data privacy at an organisational level is one concern but as citizens we have a responsibility to know our rights and protect our own information. The technology sector offers a wide range of opportunities for women, however women tend to be underrepresented in various fields. For example, women make up 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce, and when we consider the continent, women comprise just 9% of Africa’s cybersecurity personnel. Incorporating women into the labour market introduces skills diversity and increases capacity which improves productivity of organisations and simultaneously benefits economies. To inspire more women to take up technology based roles, these topics need to be included in school curricula to give girls exposure to alternative options. Technology development is accelerating, and people need to keep abreast of using innovative resources like artificial intelligence. Lifelong learning and pushing your boundaries contribute to personal growth. Prof Da Veiga encourages women to set goals and drive them forward, and reminds us that every day might not be a good day, but there is some good in every day.  Tune in for more….

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October 11, 2023

Prof Adele Da Veiga from the School of Computing – University of South Africa (UNISA)

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Adele Da Veiga from the School of Computing in the College of Science Engineering and Computing at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to wheelchair tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane who has made significant achievements in 2023’s grand slam circuit. Winning doubles at the US Open and French Open (Roland Garros), placing second in doubles at Wimbledon and semi-finalist in doubles at the Australian Open. The International Tennis Federation ranks her 9th in the world, one of the world’s top 10 players. KG shares her journey into tennis, which started by chance, as a hobby at the age of 19 and then evolved into a profession after she completed her BSc in Recreation and Leisure. Her career has taken her all over the world. We discuss some of the factors that contribute to her success, such as the team of people that support her, from management to coaches to sport psychologists. Her years of hard work have culminated into triumphs on the global arena, and she uses these accomplishments to fuel her personal motivation and encouraging people to develop an interest in tennis. She has set up the Montjane Sports Development Foundation which aims to take sport to disadvantaged communities.

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September 28, 2023

South African Grand Slam Wheelchair Tennis Champion – Kgothatso Montjane

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to wheelchair tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane who has made significant achievements in 2023’s grand slam circuit. Winning doubles at the US Open ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Sharon Chesiwe from the Free State division of the High Court. When Judge Chesiwe graduated from high school her career options, as a black woman in South Africa, were limited; primarily to teaching and nursing. For more than a decade Judge Chesiwe followed a nursing track and eventually transitioned into law. She explained her decision to shift careers was partly motivated by incidents of injustice she had observed whilst she was a nurse, for example, pay disparity between people of different races. She realised that the only way to fight these injustices was through the law. Judge Chesiwe is passionate about family law and ensuring that people who come before her are treated with humility and respect. South African women have had a very real struggle in the journey to equality to move past the point where they were regarded as minors under the custodianship of their father or husband. Women need to keep pushing forwards and owning their constitutional rights. Women need to be involved in the drafting of policies that impact them, e.g. sexual harassment policies in the workplace. Judge Chesiwe reminds women to appreciate their strength and have the confidence to know that they can do anything. Tune in for more…

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August 16, 2023

Judge Sharon Chesiwe – Free State division of the High Court

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Sharon Chesiwe from the Free State division of the High Court. When Judge Chesiwe graduated from high school her career options, as a black w...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Temi Lydia Leshoro from the Department of Economics at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who has a special interest in macroeconomic studies. She sheds light on the pressing economic issues faced by South Africa. The nation grapples with the daunting triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, compounded by energy insecurity, crime, corruption, and skill shortages. Prof Leshoro considers how macroeconomic policies can be tailored to consider gender-specific needs and priorities through five key areas. She emphasizes the significance of equal access to opportunities, advocating for policies that encompass education, training, employment, and support for unpaid care work, including parental leave. Additionally, she highlights the importance of financial inclusion and property rights for women. We discuss the role modelling effect that women in leadership exert, which motivates women to pursue their ambitions with confidence. With Women's Month in focus, Prof Leshoro encourages women to recognise their strengths, their resilience and tap into their limitless potential to fulfil their aspirations. She reminds each woman to embrace her uniqueness as a source of power and capacity for greatness. In rising as individuals women must foster sisterhood, together we are an unstoppable force. Happy Women’s Day Tune in for more….

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August 10, 2023

Prof Temi Lydia Leshoro from the Department of Economics – University of South Africa (UNISA)

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Temi Lydia Leshoro from the Department of Economics at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who has a special interest in macroeconomic stu...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Sunet Eybers from the School of Computing in the College of Science Engineering and Computing at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who lectures on Human-Computer Interaction as well as Principle Concepts of IT Service Management. We note that diverse professional opportunities are open to technology graduates in different industries. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the hot topic of the day. We talk about AI adoption, the role of ethics and engaging AI, that society has already reached a stage where we cannot separate AI from what we do on a day-to-day basis and the importance of values. This field is growing in both academic and industry environments and these communities should collaborate more effectively to benefit students. One of the initiatives that UNISA has taken, in living its motto of Reclaiming Africa’s Intellectual Futures, is to Africanise examples of theoretical concepts which aids comprehension. We acknowledge that some women contend with fulfilling multiple roles (simultaneously), such as caregiving, educating, economic provision and community contribution. These responsibilities can feel overwhelming and point the need to challenge traditional gender stereotypes for women to attain balance in their lives and fulfil their aspirations. Prof Eybers reminds people to never give up on their dreams – rest but don’t quit. Tune in for more….

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August 3, 2023

Prof Sunet Eybers from the School of Computing – University of South Africa (UNISA)

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Sunet Eybers from the School of Computing in the College of Science Engineering and Computing at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who l...

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