Student Services Division Hosts Women’s Empowerment Workshop “Fit for Purpose”

Student Services Division Hosts Women’s Empowerment Workshop “Fit for Purpose”

UKZN’s Student Services Division organised a women’s empowerment workshop that was “fit for purpose”, targeting topics such as leadership and management skills, mentorship and networking, gender-based violence (GBV), mental health and financial wellness.

The Division, which incorporates Student Residence Affairs, Disability Support, Student Governance and Leadership Development, and the Sports and Recreation units – hosted the workshop as part of a continued effort to encourage staff development.

In his welcoming remarks, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Student Services Division, Professor Msizi Mkhize said staff should expect more workshops centered on continuous professional development to be held in the future. Encouraging staff members to become life-long learners, he said every workshop conducted would be presented by industry leaders and involve a form of certification to add to work portfolios.

Women empowerment coach and Head of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme at MANCOSA Dr Aradhana Ramnund-Mansingh challenged men to be forerunners of progression and transformation within the corporate landscape. Ramnund-Mansingh shared her insights on the “Queen Bee syndrome” – a situation in which a woman in a position of authority views or treats female subordinates more critically, while favouring males when it comes to promotion.

She listed categories of women found within this landscape – the Princess Bee who will support other women as long as they do not encroach into her territory; the Phantom Bee who will not facilitate promoting another woman for a job vacancy; and the Cinderella Complex, which includes women working together to undermine the success of another female.

Imploring women to celebrate themselves, what they have achieved and each other to assist in curbing the imposter syndrome, Ramnund-Mansingh said in order for the corporate tables to shift, women needed to have the bold confidence required to apply for high level positions.

UKZN’s Strategic Co-ordinator for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Ms Thenjiwe Mswane noted how the gender crisis and the boy’s network had been in existence for decades. She called on social and behavioural cultures to be addressed in order for the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) to be tackled.

Mswane said the University’s vision was to be an institution free from GBV directed at any person and highlighted the Institution’s commitment to vulnerable persons, being victim/survivor centred, providing care and support, promoting justice, ensuring safety and economic empowerment, and the allocation of resources.

Therapist Social Worker at Lyra Health Ms Gugu Ndabezitha said stigma was a hindrance to seeking mental health assistance. Mental health and mental illness existed in a continuum of each other as the symptoms were likely to overlap. Noting common categories in mental illness such as mood and anxiety disorders, Ndabezitha encouraged staff to stay mentally and emotionally healthy by recognising their emotions and reactions (also known as triggers); learning to express their feelings in a healthy way; managing their stress levels where possible; creating a work-life balance; taking care of their physical health; connecting with others; staying positive and seeking professional help where needed.

Financial Coach and the author of Healing Financial Trauma – Gateway to Wealth Ms Thembisa Luthuli, listed four vital requirements for financial wellness – being selfish about your needs, being self-aware and knowing your purpose, communicating about your finances and boundaries, and utilising self-control as a means of self-respect.

Luthuli said it was important to set financial boundaries with parents and to start looking at wealth as a mindset. She encouraged staff members to diversify themselves and their incomes, to capitalise on their strengths and purpose, and to know that financial freedom is a journey taken alone.

Interim Director of the Department of Student Residence Affairs, Ms Sisana Machi said the empowerment workshop had moved the audience towards becoming women of substance, valour and worth.

Summarising all the key take home points of the speakers, she thanked the organising team for their efforts and shared a poem titled: Pardon Me… I’m Just Lovin’ Me For A Moment This Morning.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Andile Ndlovu