CPUT Launches Women’s Health Campaign

EMPOWERMENT: HIV/Aids Unit head, Melanie Marais, encourages women to use their strength to steer clear of abuse and violence during the Women’s Health Campaign launch at Cape Town Campus

Thursday, 14 August 2014

The HIV/AIDS Unit has recently launched a women empowerment campaign, ZAZI, which is primarily targeting young ladies between the ages of 16-24.

The main aim of the campaign is to trigger a sense of self-awareness amongst young women and to encourage them to have strong intrapersonal knowledge in order for them to be able to make informed decisions and be responsible citizens.

The national Women and Girls campaign is run by the USAID/JHU HIV Communication Programme in partnership with the South African National AIDS Council, the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, the Department of Health, Higher Education AIDS Programme and other stakeholders.

img CPUT Launches Womens Health Campaign 2
WALL OF PLEDGES: pledged to respect their bodies signed by female students on a wall of pledges erected by the Student Counselling Department

The campaign seeks to address the increasing vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection. Research shows that condom usage and rates of contraceptive use are low amongst women.

Delivering the keynote address during the launch at the Cape Town Campus, Head of HIV/Aids Unit, Melanie Marais encouraged women to realize their phenomenal interior and love themselves.

“Run away from any cycle of abuse,” said Marais.

Women were treated to informative stalls about abusive behaviour and were encouraged to undergo some health and wellness tests including HIV.

CPUT alumnus Jabulile Sopete, who is a Marketing Assistant at eTV, shared her personal story of defying all odds to get to where she is.

At five Jabulile was removed from her mother who had a drinking problem and was subsequently adopted by another family. Last year she lost her brother and in February her boyfriend committed suicide.

The campaign has since been rolled out at Mowbray, Granger Bay and Bellville campuses.

Written by Kwanele Butana
Email: butanak@cput.ac.za

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CPUT Launches Women’s Health Campaign