The HRC says it’s still receiving complaints about the so called virgin’s bursary.
- Govan Whittles | 3 months ago
JOHANNESBURG – The Human Rights Commission (HRC) says it’s still receiving complaints about the so called virgin’s bursary.
The organisation, in conjunction with the Commission for Gender Equality, this week started investigations into the programme designed by the uThukela district.
Last week, it emerged that 16 young women had been awarded the bursary, which allows them to study at the university of their choice, but on the condition that they remain virgins for the duration of their tertiary education.
The girls are examined twice a year by elderly women in their home village.
The programme has sparked outrage with human rights advocates describing it as both discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The commission’s Isaac Mangena says, “We have received several complaints. The issue looks at the rights of the girls and also issues around gender equality.”
At the same time, the Commission for Gender Equality is due to meet with the mayor of the uThukela Municipality today over its bursaries for virgins.
The commission will meet with Mayor Dudu Mazibuko following herdefence of the bursaries.
Mazibuko says the practice of virginity testing has been part of Zulu culture for decades making the bursary acceptable.
(Edited by Refilwe Pitjeng)