High Court Judge – Bulelwa-Pakati – Eastern Cape Division of the High Court

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, for our series on women in the judiciary, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to High Court Judge Bulelwa Pakati from the Eastern Cape division of the High Court. Judge Pakati’s entry into the legal field was driven by the desire to overcome the cultural practice of Ukuthwala, which entails the abduction of young girls by men and forcing them into marriage. Judge Pakati sought justice for these girls, whose voices, choices and futures had been taken away from them. We consider the need to change narratives that no longer have a place in society, using examples of paid maternity leave in the workforce, and allowing teen mothers to continue their education. We discuss aspects of South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence & Femicide in conjunction with views of building a more egalitarian society, noting the role of upholding the Constitution and making use of the country’s education system as a sustainable socialisation vehicle to inform youth of their rights and obligations as upstanding citizens to transform society for the better. Tune in for more…