-« Interview achieved by « Yves T Bouazo »-« Chief Editor and Managing director »-(Email:ytapaybouazo@gmail.com)-« Photo »: »Jacqueline Wilson », a brillant swedish feminist intellectual with a « PHD » in sociology.
-« Jacqueline Wilson » is a swedish brillant intellectual feminist with a « PHD » in sociology who has explored the lived expriences of black lesbians from « Capetown » in « South Africa ».This is her greatest conspicuous testimony indeed!
-(Intro): »Jacqueline Wilson »(JK) is an « LGBTIQ » feminist intellectual and activist based in « Sweden ».JK defied the odds to be one of the swedish biracial feminists to pass a « PHD » in sociology from « Rhodes university » in « South africa ».JK graduated on the « 7th of April 2022 ».Her research interests center on gender class inequality issues and awareness of gender colourism and structural discrimination.
-Let’s focus on her feminist intellectual feminist great work!
-1-« MM »:Can you give us any insightful information about your academic background?
-« JK »:I am Jacqueline Wilson(JK), a member of Lund university’s alumni network.I did my BSC graduation in gender studies combined with international human rights law at Lund university supervised by « prof Jens Rydstrom ».I embarked on abroad interdisciplinary field across the social sciences.I am « PHD » in sociology from « Rhodes univesity in South africa,led by « prof Michael Drewett ».And i did a fellowship at european univesity(EU) in « Budapest,Hungary ».
I continued my fellowship at the centre for social studies (CES) of the university of Coimbra in Portugal, an institution for advanced training cutting edge research.I enjoy working as a teacher.Currently, i’m teaching sports science at « Varagard school » in « BJUV-Sweden ».In the same trend, i am passionate about pursuing my post doctoral research.
-2-« MM »:Why did you apply for your « PHD » in South africa?
-« JK »:I have a personal interest in Africa as a continent, and i have visited it several times for research and to visit friends.However, i learned that earning a « PHD » degree in South africa helps you develop valuable transferable skills,which are very similar to the european students.Another point is « PHD » fees.It is cheaper to study in South africa than anywhere else.South africa tuition fees vary widely between institutions and courses.The fees for international students from the EU is lower than in the UK,USA,or Canada.
The fee for international students varies depending on their citizenship example.My tuition fees are levied higher than those of international students are required to pay an international service fee which is affordable.
-3-« MM »:Why specifically South africa?
-« JK »:South african universities are known for cutting edge research work.Still, i’m also sure other universities in Africa are not in shortage of producing top PHD graduates like « Mekerere » university in Uganda.Previously, i carried out my fieldwork in Uganda for my master thesis in development studies in 2010 with the collaboration of « prof Tabitha N’degemo Mulyampiti » from the department of gender studies at « Makerere university ».My previous experience doing fieldwork became handy when i embarked on « PHD » research in South africa.During my fieldwork outside the nordic landscape, i unlearned how feminist research should proceed in knowledge production.Moreover,South africa is also known for its permissiviness to LBGTIQ studies, so it was a privilege to conduct my research there.
-4-« MM »:Can you point out(expose) the main topic of your research?
-« JK »:It’s feminist ethnographic research exploring the lived experiences of black lesbians from Capetown in South africa residing in the township, are focused on corrective rape against black lesbians , namely in Capetown.This discriminatory practice is deeply imbedded in a heteronormative culture and is compounded by poverty and gender inequality.The study explored firstly, the personal stories of black lesbians rape survivors in Capetown and secondly, formal and informal support in the aftermath of their rape.It was found that there was a lack of formal state support, constituing additional symbolic violence against rape survivors.Rape survivors thus needed to rely more heavenly on informal support through institutions such as family, friends and NGOS.
-5-« MM »:What is the main aim which stirred you to action when writing this piece?
-« JK »:As a feminist and biracial researcher, i am aware of violence against black,brown,muslim sexual minorities is under-documented in the scandinavian countries.
South africa is a model country that was the first to prohibit discrimination against non-binary people.
However, it remains a riddle to me, violence againt black lesbians in South africa is not entirely eradicated.It’s interesting just because legislation said so, it does not automatically translate people are going to accept it.Because moms,morals and traditions are infrained in our society’s social fabric, it takes time to change deepl̂y.One can not legislate morals in the constitution but through education.Also, it’s essential to understand that we experience various forms of violence in our daily lives to some extent, such as violence in the health care system, violence in the education system, violence in the political and economic system, and violence in the culture.So it’s essential to think about the concept of violence from various perspectives, not just bodily violence.
-6-« MM »: What is the title of your research?
-« JK »:An ethnographic exploration of black lesbians rape survivors’ access to support services in Capetown in South africa.
-7-« MM »:What’s your research funded?
-« JK »:Unfortunately, not, i did apply for funding in Sweden.The reply i got was unfortunately South africa is no longer listed among the eligible countries qualified for funds.Since South africa is a middle-income country,that was the reason i believe my research failed to receive funds.And i think my nationality,not being a south african or i do not have any nationality from the african continent,limited the possibility of getting funds for my research.I can not think of othter reason for not receiving funds for the study.
-8-« MM »:How do you manage to carry out your research without funds?
-« JK »:Hum hum, it was not an easy game, like any other unpriviliged student, i was working and supporting myself.But i also want to add the fact that i received some support from academic institutions,(e;g) with the help of « prof Jasmina Lukic » from CEU(central european university-Bidapest-Hungary) from the department of gender studies.I managed to get a fellowship for six months with waived tuitions fees.Also, the centre for social studies (CES) of the university of « Coimbra » in Portugal;Waived tuitions fees under co-supervisor of « prof Catarina Martins ».
Down the line, i am very grateful to receive such valuable time and resources to pursue my research.
-9-« MM »:Do you have any particular message for our 845.000 potential readers in the five corners in the world?
-« JK »: i was born with visual-auditory dyslexia therefore, i faced many challenges in my education when i was growing up.Because the disability is invisible, one can not detect it in the necked eyes, in consequence it goes unnoticed and there are taboos when it comes to invisible disabilities, often black, brown, biracial parents are not familiar with or have knowledge about invisible disabilities such as dyslexia with their children suffer.Black, brown and colored children are often seen as lazy and stupid by teachers at school.
-I encourage your readers to notice your children’s reading and writing abilities and get help on how as parents, but also learning to manage it.
-Thank you for taking time to interview me when being a help in an academic spirit, just to highlight my research worldwide.Lastly, the EU readers if you can study outside the EU,please do that.I personally suggest « Rhodes university » in South africa, an excellent university to take up either your masters’s or PHD.
-« Interview achieved by « Yves T Bouazo »(Chief editor and managing dirtor )(Email:ytapaybouazo@gmail.com)
–