UMP STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN RESEARCH INITIATIVE FORUM

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Newsletter
10 December 2024

The forum is one of the world’s largest events focused on ending violence against women and children. The Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum offers a critical platform for United Nations Women to strengthen coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including researchers and funders working on ending violence against women and girls.

UN Women is committed to fostering joint efforts and taking urgent action to end violence against women, particularly in the face of increasing challenges such as the backlash against women’s rights, armed conflict, climate change, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Representing the University of Mpumalanga, Ms Mkhonto was a panellist in a session on "Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Enhancing Resilience through Transforming Harmful Norms and Young Women Empowerment."

She represented the Young Women for Life Movement under UN Women, and advocates for young women's empowerment to confront societal norms perpetuating gender-based violence (GBV), inequality, and marginalisation.

As an ambassador for the Young Women for Life Movement, Ms Mkhonto’s role is to empower young women and girls by educating them on sexual and reproductive rights, consent, and autonomy.

UMPMs Mkhonto (fourth from the left) attended the forum, which is one of the world’s largest events focused on ending violence against women and children.

Through her work, she aims to foster critical thinking skills that empower young women to challenge harmful societal norms and practices, including those that support violence, sexual abuse, and inequality.

“My advocacy is deeply rooted in my journey as a young woman whose path was transformed by receiving the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, which supported her master’s degree in science."

At SVRI, UN Women is dedicated to promoting advocacy priorities in anticipation of the Beijing +30 Review, with a particular emphasis on accountability, eliminating impunity, and strengthening the protection of the rights of women and girls. A key aspect of these initiatives is to boost investments aimed at eradicating violence, by supporting women’s rights organisations and fostering transformative change through evidence-based policies and actions. UN Women’s involvement highlights its role in galvanising global commitment to ending violence against women and girls and promoting gender equality.

At the Forum Ms Mkhonto connected with young women and advocates globally, enhancing a shared vision for a future where women are educated and free from violence, inequality, and marginalisation. Her participation in the SVRI Forum underscored her commitment to excellence and represented UMP on a global platform, where she contributed alongside international researchers and advocates, highlighting the University’s dedication to socially impactful research and community engagement.

“I aspire to inspire other young women by sharing my journey to illustrate the transformative power of education. My goal is to cultivate a ripple effect, motivating young women to envision themselves as educated advocates and agents of change.”

Ms Mkhonto’s role as a Young Woman for Life ambassador aligns with UMP’s mission of fostering leaders equipped with academic knowledge and a deep sense of social responsibility.

Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures Supplied.