Every year, the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign reminds us of the ongoing need to confront gender-based violence (GBV) in all its forms. From 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day), the world observes the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign aimed at raising awareness about preventing violence against women and children. This global initiative encourages communities, institutions, and individuals to reflect on the issue, take action, and unite for meaningful change.

In South Africa, where GBV has reached alarming levels, the government has declared it a national crisis. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Emergency Response Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in September 2019.

In line with these efforts, the first national South African GBV study – a baseline survey on victimisation and perpetration – was released on 18 November 2024. It highlights that a large proportion of women aged 18 years and older have experienced physical violence at some point in their lives, with significant differences observed based on race and relationship status.

The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Transformation Office is proud to stand with this global movement to end GBV. As a university community, we have a unique responsibility – and a profound opportunity – to lead by example in fostering safe, inclusive and equitable spaces for everyone who calls this campus home, whether during their studies or the span of their careers here.

Higher education institutions like UP are more than places of learning; they are reflections of society and incubators for its future leaders and current thought scholars. However, campuses are not immune to the troubling realities of GBV. Power imbalances, systemic inequalities and sexual harassment are all too common within campus environments. 

Tackling these challenges is not just a legal obligation set upon us by recent updates to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act. Our efforts must also address both the visible and invisible forms of harm, ensuring that students and staff alike feel respected, supported and empowered. 

This year’s South African 16 Days of Activism theme, ‘30 years of advancing collective action’, is a timely call to intensify our efforts. It challenges us to look critically at our progress and reminds us that sustainable change requires partnerships between students, faculty, administrators and external stakeholders. 

Creating a safer campus isn’t the work of a single office or individual. It requires all of us to: 

• Speak out: Report incidents of violence or harassment, confident that you will be heard and supported. 
• Support survivors: Offer compassion, support, respect and advocacy for those affected by GBV. 
• Challenge harmful norms: Question biases and behaviours that perpetuate inequality, and engage in meaningful conversations about change.  

As we embark on this year’s 16 Days of Activism, let’s remind ourselves of the power we hold as a community.

For on-campus support please contact the UP Careline: 0800 747 747 or UP Crisis line: 0800 006 428.

For more information, contact the Transformation Office at [email protected] or call us on 012 420 5863

To report cases of unfair discrimination, hate speech, harassment/ sexual harassment, violence or intimidation, visit our online reporting system on your UP Portal home page.