Each year, from 25 November to 10 December, the 16 days of activism campaign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women and children.

Gender-based violence is alarmingly prevalent in South Africa, with disproportionately high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault and various forms of abuse affecting women and children. Recent crime statistics paint a grim picture of this pervasive issue, revealing that during the 2022/2023 fiscal year, a staggering 67 358 women in South Africa experienced incidents of contact crimes. Among these crimes, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm comprised the highest number of incidents, totalling 57 847 cases. This distressing figure accounts for about 34% of the overall number of registered assault cases causing grievous bodily harm.

In 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the scourge of gender-based violence a second pandemic. As such, the government has been implementing the Emergency Response Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. South African universities are microcosms of society, and are not immune to this problem; neither is the University of Pretoria. Commemorating 16 days of activism helps to raise awareness about this issue, and should contribute to creating safer, more inclusive environments for all students and staff.

As an institution of higher learning, we need to encourage conversations about these issues as an indication of our support. We also need to encourage the reporting of cases, and rally men to raise their voices against gender-based violence. 

This year’s campaign theme is ‘Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’. In line with this, UP will continue to be intentional in promoting gender equality, and providing education and resources to empower women and men alike without fear or favour. These 16 days offer us an opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality, and challenge harmful stereotypes and norms that perpetuate violence against women and children.

Over this period, I would like to remind staff and students of the support services that are available to those affected by gender-based violence. We have a well-run Student Counselling Unit, and a secure confidential reporting mechanism on the portals for both staff and students, which can be accessed via the Anti-Discrimination tile. When clicking on the tile, you will be able to open a case with our Transformation Office for investigation. Cases can be logged at your convenience without necessarily having to speak to someone. The reporting and investigation mechanisms have created safe, supportive environments for affected individuals. Students in UP residences or within the Hatfield Precinct can also contact our Emergency Helpline whenever they find themselves in unsafe circumstances. Additionally, our Employee Wellness Programme offers colleagues an outlet and a variety of support services to assist those who need help.

I would like to thank staff and students for actively engaging in activism and advocacy efforts, both on and off campus, in order to promote social awareness and inspire ordinary members of society to become agents of change.

I trust that you will join in this commemoration, and demonstrate our individual and collective commitment to addressing critical societal issues. Together we can proactively make a difference, be it academically through research or through awareness and advocacy initiatives run by the Transformation Office and other stakeholders of the University.

Let us all take a stand against gender-based violence and contribute to a more just and equitable society.

#SpeakOutUP #UPCares