On 7 August, the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the University of Pretoria held a Women’s Day March to celebrate the contributions and achievements of female academic and support staff, particularly within the sciences. The event, organised as part of South Africa’s broader Women’s Day celebrations, highlighted the importance of recognizing and appreciating the roles that women play in higher education.
The silent march, which lasted 30-40 minutes, began at the Student Services Centre and moved through key campus landmarks before concluding at the Aula lawn. The event’s organisers, including Nokwazi Mtsweni, Coordinator of RETHINK@NAS, Jessika Naidoo, Chairperson on the Institutional Transformation Committee of RETHINK@NAS, Seite Makgai, Chairperson of the Culture Subcommittee of RETHINK@NAS, and Sinethemba Ntshangase Member of the Culture Subcommittee of RETHINK@NAS, expressed how meaningful the event was to them as women in science. They emphasized the importance of visibility and recognition for women in STEM.
Statistically, the number of women in science is still low, and this event is their r way of saying, “We want to make people aware that we are here, they must see us,” Makgai stated. The organisers hope that the march will not only bring attention to the experiences of women in science but also inspire other women across the university who may feel underappreciated.
The event exceeded the organisers’ expectations, with a strong turnout that included support from the Dean and Deputy Dean, who both attended the march. The support received from the leadership of the faculty was encouraging and demonstrated a commitment to acknowledging and supporting the contributions of women in the sciences.
The organisers are committed to continuing their efforts to support women in science throughout Women’s Month and beyond. They have plans for additional initiatives aimed at empowering women in STEM and raising awareness about the important roles women play within the faculty. This event marked the beginning of what the organizers hope will be an ongoing effort to celebrate and support women in the sciences. Looking ahead, the organisers hope to expand the event in future years to include other faculties, making it a university-wide initiative. They also aim to involve more participants from across campus, highlighting the collective support for women’s contributions in various academic fields.
The NAS Women’s Day March was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of women in higher education. By doing this, the University of Pretoria community took a major step forward towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all its members.
