Gender-based violence and transformation of the judiciary focal points at the 2022 SAC-IAWJ conference

The South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ), in collaboration with the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities (DWYPD), will be hosting its 16^th Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Pretoria from 5 to 7 August 2022.

The event, which takes place during Women’s Month, will be held under the theme Empowerment as a Tool to Fight Gender-Based Violence #Breaking Barriers and Bias. It will be attended by key jurists and academics, who will participate in the activities and pertinent discussions planned over the three-day event.

Click here to view the programme.

The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, will deliver the keynote address during a gala dinner to be held on Friday, 5 August 2022, where the SAC-IAWJ will confer the SAC-IAWJ Women Pioneers in the Judiciary Award to the newly appointed Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Justice Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya, the first woman jurist to be appointed to this position in the history of South Africa.

Also in attendance at the Gala Dinner Ceremony and participating in the programme will be the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Mrs Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula,  Chancellor of the University of Venda, Advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi, and former Chancellor of the Tshwane University of Technology, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa.

Day two and three of the conference (6 and 7 August 2022) will be dedicated to intensive discussions by jurists and academics in attendance on a variety of critical topics aligned to the main theme. The Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Justice Raymond MM Zondo, will deliver the keynote address on the second day of the conference.

Unisa plays a considerable part in promoting gender equality in the justice system and society. As an African university in service of humanity, the institution is committed to partnering with institutions and organisations that fight against any form of oppression, exploitation and prejudice.

* By Unisa’s Department of Institutional Advancement