SAAWG Journal 2001

2001-Editorial: Having spent some months sifting through the contents of past issues of the Journal of SAAWG (previously k/a Bluestocking), and editing copy for this edition, I find myself in awe of the accomplishments of the South African graduate woman, past and present.Our commemorative publication on SAAWG women of note, due for release in 2003, will be, I trust, a fitting tribute to them – marking our Association’s 80th Anniversary. Their stories are inspirational, and need to be told to best advantage. Each SAAWG member can play her part in our team salute to these women of outstanding calibre.

During Conference this year, and at SAAWG’s Awards Evening, members had the opportunity of meeting women who are making an invaluable contribution to the strength of the fabric of South African society through the meaningful research they have undertaken. Some we met for the first time; others were acquaintances of long-standing. We were privileged indeed. In this issue of our Journal, you will get to know some of them and read about research in which they have been involved.

Much of this information was so enlightening that I found it difficult to prune as drastically as I was obliged to do. I reacted to their work – and I know that those who were present to hear what they had to say, did too. Concern at working conditions led to positive action by Cape Town Branch and National. The flood of empathy for the suffering of women and children during the Anglo-Boer War spilled over to dampen the cheeks of listeners. Abuse of the elderly sparked such anger that I know women will not rest until this is addressed.

IFUW reported to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in New York earlier this year. The periodic report of Marjatta Rasi, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, stated that “the government was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against women” and a major achievement was its 5-year cross-sectoral project for prevention of violence which aims at making violence against women visible, at reducing its occurrence and increasing services for victims.

This can happen here. Graduate women MUST work towards achieving this in our beloved land too. The essay on Gender Discrimination confirms that our youth have already taken up the torch.

Presidential Address : Hazel Bowen "A WINNING NATION: A question of attitude"
Branch Reports
Women in Research: Poster Presentations
SAAWG awards 2001
Juggling with Our Futures: Part-Time Students Speak, Prof Shirley Walters, Director
Division Life Long Learning, University of the Western Cape
Comments on the National Plan For Higher Education of the Ministry of Education By Magda Fourie, Deputy Director URHE, University of Free State
Report of the International Conference on: Globalization and Higher Education -Views from the South