Published 28 March 2016
The young MWASA gives an opportunity for the younger members of the profession to meet and discuss issues relevant to their stage in the careers. This group includes Female Medical Students from 5th year of study to internship.
Our aim is to mentor and support the female medical students and share experiences to encourage younger and upcoming medical doctors.
The following are some of the challenges that female medical students are experiencing:
Sexual marginalisation from lecturers as well as fellow male students.
Mentorship and guidance from ‘mom and sister doctors’. (Mommy and me programme)
Pregnancy as well as reproductive health rights.
Establish a buddy system with fellow students.
Better contraceptive measures are not always available and students are made to pay.
Establish a better platform to discuss gender-based problems.
The (in) convenience of residing in a mixed gender residence.
Homosexuality on campus and the marginalisation thereof.
Sugar daddies. It has become increasingly evident that it has become common place for female students to date men that are much older than they are. The financial ‘advantage’ seems to be the most evident reason behind it, owing to society having socialised the youth that to be any kind of important or fulfilled human being, material goods are paramount. Or that the easiest way to attain money for personal and academic needs is through having a relationship with an old man who can provide financially. This ends up becoming a regular alternative that young women turn to instead of valuing hard work and trying to attain their own financial independence. The female youth have been conditioned to depend on men. This is a large form of regression in terms of the capable women society should be breeding.
Gender marginalization between students. Female students are very often seen and treated as sex objects by males. A good example of this is also the fact that women have few if any leadership roles in political structures. And when they do, not only are they the minority, but they are also the posts that are not well recognised. This is an example of how male students are condescending towards women and still treat women as beings that struggle to construct and hold logical thought of their own. Women’s mind sets need to be changed. Especially if these women are the future professionals who may one day hold important positions of power.
It is horrifying to think that Medunsa campus’ HIV statistics sit at a staggering 70%, and that is only for those who have been tested and are aware. A significant portion of that 70% is made up of women. The initiative to bring HIV counsellors to campus is brilliant and perhaps we should get into the culture of not only doing HIV testing, but also annual pap smears for women.
Seeing that so many STIs and STDs can have such serious health implications i.e. cervical cancer, fertility issues, etc. there should be an annual initiative that encourages females to do routine yearly checks. Perhaps sponsored by the Department of Health.
Banning of or application of strict content regulations on institutional social networks that aim to degrade women and refer to them derogatorily.
Design and create a web site where we celebrate women and girls get congratulated for all their achievements as opposed to bringing each other down.
Assistance with academic setbacks.
Humanitarians versus beneficiaries.
Our team in Mpumalanga visited Tiphepheleni primary school on the 31st April 2015. The targeted number of learners were 135 and were from Grade 6 and 7. The learners were given paper bags, sweets and snacks, baths soaps and theses were donated by Sappi. MWASA donated sanitary towels and packs of panties. There were also discussions around motivational talk, prevention of pregnancy contraception, menstruation, demonstrations on how to use sanitary towel and hygiene, sexually transmitted disease and a declaration posters were handed out. Future plans are to involve more partners and stakeholders to support learners to improve in English and Mathematics.