International Women's Day at MSM
Siposetu Jilata: Advocating for women and the power of education
I am very bold in my speech and very confident in rooms full of people. When given an opportunity to interact with people of all genders, ages and races, I give it my all. I over-prepare so that I can deliver an outstanding presentation filled with the knowledge I have acquired over the years.
But most importantly I am a firm believer in advocating for women's rights, in particular for young women in business. For generations, women did not have the same rights as men. Yet, more than thirty years into our South Africa’s democracy, it is often women who are holding the holding the fort in many places.
To quote the great Hon. Nelson Mandela, our previous president: "Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world." May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Read the full blog of Global Online MBA student Siposetu Jilata.
Maeve Wiencek: Challenging gender inequality through conversation, education and support
I think one of the most important things we can do in challenging gender inequality is engaging in education and storytelling. Even as a woman myself, I do not know all the ways in which inequality and discrimination impact women around the globe. I do my best to engage with literature, media, and news that highlight and share diverse women’s stories. By educating myself, I feel I will be better equipped to engage in meaningful conversations surrounding gender dynamics as I will have a better understanding of a broader range of experiences.
I also engage the men in my life in conversations about the challenges and inequalities women face on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s talking to my dad about the recent news surrounding gender dynamics in US hockey or discussing perceptions of feminism with my boyfriend, I feel engaging in these personal conversations helps to expand shared understanding and collaborative effort. The fight for gender equality is not just the job of women, but of all people. I feel it is important for men to understand their role in supporting women and holding other men accountable.
Finally, I do my best to ensure that the women in my life have the space to speak and voice their opinions. I have many strong, passionate, inspiring women in my life and try to take moments to recognize their excellence and impact whenever I can. It can be extremely challenging to exist as women in this world, so I personally aim to continue to listen and uplift other women throughout my life, even in small ways.
Read the full blog of Master in Management student Maeve Wiencek.
