The Rhodes Amnesty International Society held a campus-wide cross-dressing day last week as part of the Human Rights Week.
The Rhodes Amnesty International Society held a campus-wide cross-dressing day last week as part of the Human Rights Week.
“We are trying to break down gender norms,” said Michelle Beukes, chair of the society. Despite advertising the event through posters, emails and the Human Rights Week campaign, few students dressed up (or down) for the occasion.
“I am really disappointed in Rhodes students. People don’t really care and people don’t read their emails. This is a problem with our generation,” said Dorothy Makaza, a masters student in human rights law and a member of Amnesty.
“When a girl dresses like a boy, or a boy dresses like a girl, people raise their eyebrows.” According to Makaza, cross-dressing breaks down the stereotypes which lead to homophobia.
Another member of the society, Fika Nqeto, was dressed for the occasion in a floral print skirt. The cross-dressing is to destigmatise gender rules and perceived gender roles in society,” he said.
“There is a general level of apathy among students.” Nqeto is worried that the level of participation for this event might indicate a similar commitment by students to other events, such as marches and protests, throughout the year.
Matthew Feldman, a student who dared to wear a mini skirt, said he thought that dressing up was a good idea because it highlights gender inequalities.
Neo Mokgosi, who wore a dress shirt and a tie, said that the cross-dressing event was for a good reason even though no one else seemed to be doing it. “I don’t think I should be bound to my clothes,” she said.
