Master’s graduate explores gendered experiences of women in higher education spaces
“RECEIVING this degree serves as a testimony that dreams do come true and hard work pays off. The dream may be delayed but when the time is right, it will happen. I am so grateful to God for answering my prayers.” These are the words of Phakamile Mazibuko, who recently received her Master’s in Education from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
“I pursued my Master’s degree because of my passion for research,
ti l l dd i of women in higher education spaces. My research study – “Negotiating Gender identities in Higher Education: Experiences of female residence assistants at selected student residences in Durban” – was in the context of gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education institutions, particularly in student residences,” explained Mazibuko.
Her study explored the lived experiences of female residence assistants (RAs) at selected student
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Substantial research carried out in South African higher education institutions suggests that student residences are spaces for gender and sexual violence – both for and by students. Arguably, a residential experience is a central part of a student’s identity, development and negotiation – therefore, it is an important component of their overall educational and university experience.
“I am hopeful that this study will greatly contribute to understanding th hi i (personal and social context) that affect female RAs in higher education spaces, especially student residences,” said Mazibuko.
The study found that female RAs experienced multiple oppressions in Durban student residences, including bullying and harassment, as a result of their multiple intersecting identities.
The study also found that despite the extreme challenges and pressures exerted on female RAs, they still demonstrated agency,
it t d ili t d negotiating for diversity, gender equality, and tolerance in student residences.
Mazibuko’s study has shown that higher education spaces, particularly student residences, remain hubs of gender inequality, hostility and intolerance towards women and the queer community. She suggests that there is an urgent need to study the lived experiences of residence assistants within the queer community, as this will be helpful to enhance respect for diversity in hi h d ti