Following an announcement by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe in December 2020, the University of Pretoria (UP) is excited to launch TransAwareness@UP, a project driven by the Law Faculty’s Transformation Committee that seeks to ensure the implementation of UP’s Trans Protocol within the faculty.

UP celebrates and values the diversity of its staff and student body. In line with the constitutional values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of other human rights and freedoms, the University aims to create an environment in which all staff and students feel equally valued, and in which transphobic behaviour is not tolerated.

Further, UP recognises that there are differences between a person’s gender identity/expression and their assumed gender resulting from their government assigned sex descriptor. Thus UP aims to eradicate discrimination on grounds such a cross-gender dressing, gender identity/expression, transgender identity, intersex condition or gender difference resulting from any process of gender reassignment – social or medical.

Additionally, UP embraces cultural diversity and the fact that indigenous languages have throughout history recognised gender diversity beyond and outside masculine and feminine. Consequently, we recognise the historical erasure of indigenous gender diversity and endeavours to ensure that inclusive indigenous practices are incorporated through the implementation of TransAwareness@UP.

Through implementing the Trans Protocol, UP aims to create and provide an inclusive space that accepts and respects both fixed and fluid gender identities.

For more information click on the links below

• Understanding Gender
• Student Resources
• Staff Resources
• Update Your Gender Marker