In celebration of Women's Month, Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) is shining a spotlight on extraordinary staff and students on our campus who champion women's rights and gender equality. Through their dedication and leadership, they inspire and drive positive change. Yaadein Padiachy is an aspiring political scientist who is busy with an honours degree. She has held various leadership roles at SU, such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) member responsible for Women and Queer Empowerment, and as an assistant in the Unit for Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion. She believes in promoting inclusivity and change by combining leadership, advocacy and research.
?What made you decide to study political science at SU?
In my teens I realised a lot of my passions revolved around social justice issues such as the perpetuation of apartheid standards, poverty, gender inequality and queer rights. I had dreams about reshaping South African politics in a way that focused on these issues, and I didn't feel that our politicians were achieving these, so I chose political science to do the job myself.
Can you share a defining moment in your life that solidified your commitment to gender issues?
I can't recall such a moment, I feel it is a commitment that is inherent to me. I attended a conservative Christian school and yet many of my friends identified as 'queer' without us knowing what that meant. When I would see in the news and media how LGBTQIA+ individuals were being marginalised, it confused me. I think the respect I had for my LGBTQIA+ peers solidified into a commitment to champion their equality and rights in society.
Do you have female role models or women who have acted as mentors to you?
My biggest role model in this regard has probably been my mother. She has been a powerhouse in corporate, advocating for leadership, diversity and inclusion. She's been a role model that reminded me to always keep pushing. In a conservative time when gender equality wasn't as prevalent and racial equality was still new, my mother always supported me to push back against oppressive systems.
What activism work are you involved in on campus or academically?
This year I was admitted for an honours degree in political science. For my mini thesis my research has focused on looking at the exclusionary lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals within South African gender policies. I noticed that in their lived experiences within various public sectors such as health, justice and education LGBTQIA+ individuals do not share the same experiences as citizens who fall within the binary understanding of gender. I have also been working as a student assistant within the Unit for Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, where I was able to collaborate with student leaders in their communities on engagement such as gender non-conforming inclusion within residence spaces. In the past I took on the leadership role of Women and Queer Empowerment for the 2022/'23 SRC, where I established a podcast called Stay WAQE that addressed various gender issues on campus. I was also a panellist at a Gender Dynamix colloquium where we discussed the importance of implementing policies and frameworks in higher education institutions that explicitly address the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Can you tell us about your family and how they have supported you throughout your academic journey?
I have been so blessed by my family and how they support me. As I have mentioned, my mother has been a role model and a constant supporter of me continuing my academic journey and fighting against oppressive regimes. My father has provided me unending support and comfort. More importantly the histories of their families, both being of Indian heritage who first came here on the ships from India and then lived through South African apartheid, have been constant sources of motivation. I do everything for the people I love. I want to make my family proud of the fact that their Indian daughter breaks barriers for all marginalised people.
What do you consider your most significant achievement in your life so far?
The completion of my first degree. My generation tends to feel pressure to claim as many accolades as we can; I like to celebrate every win. My bachelor's degree is one of the biggest of these wins. It is also a significant achievement as I am the first in my family to attend a tertiary institution and complete a BA degree in this manner. I also think of my degree as a stepping stone to continue to advocate for marginalised communities, so that's why it's such a big achievement for me.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
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