ANTI-DISCRIMINATION WEEK: Don’t turn a blind eye to discrimination

Posted on September 29, 2021

Name and surname and department/division you are employed in:
Stefan Steenekamp, postgraduate student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and former chair of NATHouse, student house in NAS

Do you think that discrimination is prevalent in NAS and/or the University? If so, what do you think can be done to eradicate it?
Due to the small size of my department, I cannot say from a student perspective. However, in the Faculty, I believe there is. First, better communication channels ensure that those who come forward with the cases are protected (in terms of who they are and the case information); secondly, the person guilty of the act is removed.

Do the University and society do enough to prevent GBV? What ideas do you have to put a stop to GBV?
The security in and on campus can be increased, with panic buttons and training for students and staff. But, in society, no, not at all. There might be prevention methods; however, the system to apprehend, judge, and find the criminals guilty is corrupt and does not work.

What is your pledge to help to make NAS a better place for all of us? 
We live in a broken society, so who are we to turn a blind eye. The time has come that we must take on these challenges directly and find sustainable solutions to ensure a better future for all.

- Author NAS

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