Who are we?

 The Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies main objectives are;

• To create a conducive and inclusive space for the production of engaged research that is innovative, current, and high-quality.
• To forge and maintain research collaborations with gender stakeholders both internally and externally.
• To advocate for social and gender justice for minorities and other vulnerable populations, including LGBTQIA+ people.
• To conduct community engagement that is influential and impactful, beneficial to communities, and sustainable over time.
• To conduct research of national and international scope within specialised research areas and play a key role in the creation, transfer and application of knowledge and research intelligence that guide policy and development at national level, educational and organisational improvement planning;
• To provide and maintain excellent postgraduate teaching, learning and supervision in gender studies.

Our latest contributions on body politics, masculinity, feminism, intersexuality, and queer studies?

• The Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies (DGSS) approaches societal concerns and knowledge production from a holistic, intersectional perspective. We believe that discourses about queer studies, body politics, masculinity, feminism, and intersexuality are not isolated, but rather interconnected, and that our approaches and contributions reflect this. Conversational activities such as 16 Days of Activism, Breathing Through Trauma, Invisible Lives, and Missing Voices have contributed to the body politic. These historical incidents have sparked intersectional dialogues about the power dynamics of masculinity, intersexuality, and queer identity, and health among other topics. The goal was to provide safe areas where people could discuss various concerns. DGSS seeks for organic scholarships involving multiple stakeholders.
• Our collaborative partnership with a non-profit organization, We Will Speak Out, trains faith leaders with other partners and stakeholders to advocate for gender transformation programmes in the local churches and communities across South Africa.

Our aims in eliminating gender-based violence at Unisa.

• The DGSS's 16 Days of Activism initiative, developed in partnership with the Vice Chancellor's office's department of leadership and transformation, raises awareness within the institution, among staff and students, and in our broader communities.
• DGSS created and filed a pledge to eradicate and address GBV at UNISA in collaboration with the office of the VC's department of leadership and transformation.
• Fostering collaborative partnerships with various institutional stakeholders (Women's Forum, Black Forum, NSRC)

Values:

The Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies is aligned with the values of the University of South Africa. Which is: Ethical and collective responsibility, Integrity, Innovation and excellence, Responsive student-centredness, Dignity in diversity and Accountability.

 What are your future plans?

• Roundtable Webinar: Exploring Accountability Strategies to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide 8 March 2023
• IGS Honours Students Orientation and Welcome 5 April 2023
• Postgraduate seminars (two) for DGSS MPhil students (Date TBA)
• MPhil Student Information session 5 June 2023
• 2nd Annual Public Lecture 10 August 2023
• 3rd Annual 16 days of Activism (Date TBA)