By Mzwandile Ndlovu

An online writing competition hosted by the Debating Union at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus is keeping the conversation about women’s empowerment alive long after Women’s Month has ended.

The competition, themed “Accelerate action: Rights, equality, empowerment for all women and girls”, invited students to reflect on the challenges facing women and girls globally and propose solutions. The goal was to spark dialogue that could lead to practical action on campus and beyond.

Third-year biological sciences student Didintle Phillips won the competition with an essay titled “The time is now”. “My inspiration came from the desire to see change and to live in said change,” she wrote.

In her essay, she urged immediate action to address persistent inequalities. “The need for change is immediate. We lose lives and dreams every day to unequal rights, inadequate empowerment, and the nonchalant approach most take to equal opportunities.”

Lebone Tlhagiso, chief adjudicator of the NWU Debate Union, said the initiative was designed to do more than celebrate writing talent. “On a broader scale, it raises awareness of women’s rights issues and motivates the university community to take meaningful action toward creating an inclusive and equitable environment.”

Lebone said the competition is part of ongoing efforts to make gender equality an everyday conversation rather than a once-a-year event.

As for the competition winner, Didintle, her message is clear: lasting change for women and girls begins with confronting inequality now, not later.

Didintle Phillips