Modupe Labode, assistant professor of history, will talk about the end of apartheid in South Africa and women’s places in the new government Wednesday at Iowa State.

Her presentation is sponsored by the Ames/ISU YWCA, and it will be held at noon in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union. It is free and open to the public.

The speech, which is titled “After Apartheid: Political Gains of South African Women,” will address the role of women in the government of South Africa since its progressive constitution was enacted.

“The ending of apartheid brought about a lot of changes. The discussion will be specifically dealing with women’s constitutional rights, violence against women and how women fared with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” Labode said.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was created by the South African government to investigate apartheid-era human rights abuses and amnesty claims and to promote national unity now that apartheid is over.

According to an Annenburg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting research project, members of the commission expect the government to implement a policy of reparation and rehabilitation for the victims of apartheid.

“In South Africa, women are dealing with issues comparable to those being dealt with here in the United States, such as race, ethnicity and class,” Labode said when asked why the topic is important for Iowa State students to learn about.

Labode’s speech is part of the “Wednesday with the YW” program, which is put on by YWCA.

“‘Wednesday with the YW’ program sponsors noon discussion forums, such as the one given by Labode,” said Tara Wood, YWCA’s public relations coordinator and senior in political science.