Dr Paulette Naidoo, Director of the Student Counselling Unit at the Student Affairs Department, presented a paper at the 9th International Gender & Sexuality Conference hosted by the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) from 22 to 23 October 2026 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The theme of the conference was “Gender & Sexuality: At the cross-roads of social and cultural dimensions.” Dr Naidoo’s presentation spoke to the conference’s sub-theme: “Gender-based violence”.
The paper highlighted the potential of student leaders to utilize power constructively to advance gender justice and effect meaningful change or, conversely, to abuse this power through acts of sexual coercion and violence which perpetuate the GBV scourge. Dr Naidoo’s work is geared towards global and sustainable impact in the higher education and leadership context, offering student leaders, Student Affairs practitioners and University management, a path to navigating the GBV power paradox using a values-based Social Change Model of Leadership (SCM) integrated with a constructive power framework.
Conference delegates commended Dr Naidoo for contributing meaningfully to global scholarship on GBV and student leadership development. Her work offers conceptual, strategic and practical tools that will enable Higher Education institutions to proactively address GBV as a collective, inclusive of student leaders, the student body, staff and University Management.
Dr Naidoo described her experience of the International Conference on Gender and Sexuality as enlightening and inspiring, adding that the conference lived up to its reputation of being a global platform for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates, offering opportunities for critical dialogue and reflection, groundbreaking research, and meaningful collaborations across diverse social, cultural, and policy contexts.
Dr Naidoo said she was looking forward to maintaining the friendships and partnerships she established at the conference and is particularly excited about pursuing multi-disciplinary research and publications with her global networks.