Govender took the leap of faith and resigned from her job to focus on the competition. Now, through her campaign Her Way Out, she has found a way to balance her career and current job title. Speaking on her years spent at UJ, Govender said she loved how the environment encouraged her to stay focused. “Being in the Faculty of Law, one of the best in the country, there was so much support and help to learn both theoretically and practically. When I finished studying, while chatting to colleagues in the industry, I realised just how privileged we are to study at UJ.” Her advice to students, as someone who has set goals for herself and reached for her dreams, Govender encouraged them to stay strong in their beliefs. “You may not be successful the first or second time around but if you believe in something, it is so important to never let go of that belief. Sometimes it may not be the right time but if you give up on yourself you won’t realise that. Don’t be afraid to fail, have hope, reevaluate yourself, and try again. If it is for you, it will find you at the right time. This is not just about following your dream but also choosing something to study and following the course.” Govender is continuing to work on her campaign and hoping to grow it into something that will really help people. “As a lawyer I am passionate about empowering women and I have seen how effective our law in South Africa is when it comes to the constitution. I wanted to start an initiative that helps women because they are the most vulnerable group of people in our society and need the most protection. Her Way Out is an initiative women’s that allows women to find their way out. It is specifically targeted at empowering women’s legal rights and helping them to find platforms to better themselves. I’ve partnered with Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, a law firm and we have been working with Gender Based Violence victims in the courts, and working with women-led initiatives to help them.” South Africa observes 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December every year.
Right: Her parents, Deven and Shireen Govender, were with me when I got admitted as an attorney at the Hight Court of South Africa in Johannesburg
The legal clinic she attended with Norton Rose Fulbright, as part of her campaign ‘Her Way Out’
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