Gender-based violence in South African universities: an institutional challenge (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Critical Diversity Studies
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a crime that violates the right to life, equality, human dignity, freedom and security of a person (South African Constitution, Act No 108 of 1996). The prevention and management of GBV is a critical transformation imperative and has in recent years (2014 to 2021) come under the spotlight at South African universities. The National Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) developed a policy framework to guide post-school education and training institutions to address GBV in 2020. This article is a practitioner’s assessment and reflection of how the DHET policy framework on GBV can be implemented at Stellenbosch University, a public higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa. We look at how to integrate recommendations made in the GBV policy framework at South African universities and what are the current constraints that throttle GBV interventions. We reflect on existing mechanisms and policy recommendations that still need to be oper...
Nobody's Business: Proposals for reducing gender-based violence at a South African university
Loots, L., Collins, A., Meyiwe, T. and Mistery, D. (2009). Nobody's Business: Proposals for reducing gender-based violence at a South African university. Agenda: Empowering women for gender equity. 80, 33-41
This 'Open forum' outlines proposals developed to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) at a South African university. It argues against simply viewing GBV as a security problem -GBV can only be effectively tackled if measures are developed to change the underlying social norms and overall institutional culture. Specific strategies include breaking the cultures of silence around GBV, establishing clear and visible norms for social behaviour, providing victims with effective support mechanisms, and having an effective body specifically mandated to develop policy and practices around GBV. They also include providing all students with intellectual opportunities to reflect on their own values and practices in order to develop a clear understanding of the impact of violent and discriminatory social behaviours, and to enhance positive skills for participating in diverse social environments. In conclusion, it is argued that implementing these proposals requires establishment of centres of authority within universities to develop and implement institutional reform based on comprehensive understandings of GBV.
Administratio Publica, 2022
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most rampant problems contemporary society has to contend with. In particular, it has become pervasive on higher education institution (HEI) campuses in South Africa. To combat endemic cases of GBV, the South African government published the GBV Policy Framework on 31 July 2020, which compels HEIs to create awareness of GBV policies and prevent such incidents on campuses. Student representative councils (SRCs) play a significant role in this regard by designing and launching student GBV awareness initiatives on campuses. The purpose of this article is to report on the findings of a survey conducted among SRCs at selected South African universities regarding the prevalence of GBV on campuses and the challenges they experience in their awareness creation efforts. Following an intrinsic qualitative case study design, nine purposively sampled universities were selected based on their relatively large residential student populations and their geographical locations. The units of analysis imbedded within these cases were SRC members, who were purposively sampled based on their responsibility portfolios (i.e., gender-related matters). Three SRC members per university were sampled (n=27). Recommendations are proposed to further support university SRCs in the implementation of the GBV Policy Framework.
Administratio Publica, 2022
Gender-based violence (GBV) is pervasive and deeply ingrained in contemporary society. Despite several efforts by governments, international agencies, and non-governmental organisations to combat GBV, it has also become almost commonplace on South African campuses of higher education institutions (HEIs). The most recent initiative to reduce endemic cases of GBV is the Department of Higher Education and Training's Policy Framework to address GBV in the Post-School Education and Training System (2020). This Policy Framework compels HEIs to create awareness of GBV policies and prevent incidents of GBV on campuses. Student Representative Councils (SRCs) play a significant role in this regard by initiating and implementing student GBV awareness initiatives on campuses. The purpose of this article is to report on findings of an empirical survey conducted among SRCs at selected South African universities regarding the prevalence of GBV on campuses and to uncover challenges experienced in their student GBV awareness efforts. By following case study methodology, semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 27 sampled participants from nine universities. The results were thematically analysed, and based on the findings a model is proposed to support SRCs in the implementation of the GBV Policy Framework on their respective campuses.
African Safety Promotion, 2013
This study explores how female residence students at a South African university understand and experience gender-based violence. This article examines how women’s identities and social interactions are affected by the presence of gender-based violence in their communities, and specifically the issue of violence in higher education institutions. Social constructionist theory framed this study as it focuses on how these women’s ‘talk’ constructed their understanding of gender-based violence. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 12 female residence students and discourse analysis was used to analyse the interview material. Findings revealed that the fear of becoming a victim of gender-based violence serves to constrict the daily activities of these women. This research maps these ongoing discourses of fear which are present in all aspects of women’s lives. It provides a formal articulation of women’s experiences that are significant but frequently marginalised and normalised, showing the pervasive effects of fear of gender-based violence on identity and social life. The study contributes towards a growing body of knowledge surrounding the impact of gender-based violence at higher education institutions and works towards protecting students. Keywords: Gender-based violence; South Africa; women; students; higher education; fear
International Journal of Social Science Research and Review
Crime in South Africa is categorised in a way that no two crimes can carry the same meaning. Hence, the crime of theft does not relate to the crime of house robbery. Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), is a very serious crime that is not categorised as a crime on its own, but is a crime which is identified through other crimes. This paper investigates the impact of the lack of categorisation of GBVF as a crime. The reviewed literature outlined a sense of confusion by the higher education institutions (HEIs) when addressing this crime. There is a sense of misunderstanding on which crimes constitute to be identified as GBVF, since GBVF is not categorised as a crime in the South African Police Service (SAPS) statistics. The reviewed literature outlined that GBVF has developed, and evolved overtime and it now has many terms that associate with it, these terms can range from domestic violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), violence against women (VAW), and attacks on the lesbia...
Perceptions of Gender-Based Violence Among University Staff: Interim Results
SAGE Open
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the greatest social issues affecting South Africa, and universities are no exception. This article reports preliminary results of a pilot study conducted at the University of South Africa (Unisa). The study aimed to ascertain perceptions of GBV among university staff. A range of frequency-seeking questions aimed at exploring awareness, experiences, and reflections about solutions to GBV were posed to selected staff members by means of an online survey. The results of the survey are presented here in graphic form and subjected to descriptive analysis, which is compared with existing literature on the topic. The key findings in this pilot study concern the perceptions of GBV among university staff, their awareness of the types of GBV and its prevalence, and the participants' feelings about safety regarding GBV and commitment to participate in possible solutions. We conclude that we cannot expect trends reported in literature to be replicated in any research study.
Interfaces, 2019
This article presents the process of elaboration and construction of the “General guidelines for institutional actions of intervention in situations of violence and discrimination against gender and sexual orientation”, which proposes institutional forms and normative-dogmatic parameters for coping with violence against women in the university context, emphasizing the legal responsibility of higher education institutions (HEIs). In the research used to prepare the document, we rely on a bibliographical review of studies already made on the subject; analysis of legal and administrative documents aimed at tackling violence against women, in general and specifically at the university; and we report on our participation in some university groups and commissions. The result of the research was the preparation of the document, which is now available to every university community.