MAKING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IS CRITICAL

PROF RAMNEEK AHLUWALIA , CEO of HIGHER HEALTH, shares how the organisation is taking clues from its response to HIV to eradicate gender-based violence in the post-schooling sector

HIGHER HEALTH, the health, wellness and development agency for the post-schooling education and training sector (PSET), works with South African universities and colleges to implement resources and infrastructure to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual and gender misconduct, assault and rape.

South African women have a 45.6 per cent lifetime risk of experiencing GBV, a rate well above the global average of 35 per cent, as cited by the World Health Organization, and campuses are not exempt from this epidemic. For example, the SA Medical Research Council has found that 10 per cent of reported rapes occur in the PSET sector.

Campus life gives rise to specific forms of GBV, such as sex-for-marks or other benefits, and spying or intruding on students in residences. While women bear the major brunt of GBV, gender-nonconforming individuals are also frequently targeted.

This makes GBV a complex mental and physical threat that inevitably degrades academic efforts and puts the brakes on the dreams and aspirations of young people.

HIGHER HEALTH’s current response encompasses assisting the institutions to implement policies and initiatives to ensure safer campuses and protect women, students and staff from GBV. For the year, more than 60 000 students and staff self-administered a GBV risk assessment tool that draws their attention to factors and behaviours that increases their risk of GBV. Assistance and support were also provided to 5 000 students and staff.

GBV is part of a legacy crisis. Students’ dreams, talent and hard work are often halted due to toxic masculinity. For decades, South African girls and women have endured the brutality of men often known to the victim. The lessons learnt from our successful response to HIV should be implemented in the fight against GBV.

Parallels Between The Gbv And Hiv Epidemics

• Both have co-existed over a lengthy period and have become embedded in our social and cultural fabric.

• Both have been brutal when measured in terms of health and socioeconomic outcomes and affect women more than men.

• GBV and HIV are underpinned by gender biases, stereotypes, discrimination and often violence that increase the risk to women by reducing their agency to protect themselves.

• Bringing these issues into the open challenges cultural constructs that feed into harmful social norms, shifts attitudes and behaviours, unlocks resources and services and saves lives.

Steps That Changed The Course Of The Hiv Epidemic

The results in tackling HIV came from sustained, research-driven, evidence-based strategies with clear priorities, diverse yet aligned responses and massive investments into financial, human, social, medical, political and infrastructural resources. Despite incremental advances, we are not yet ready to close the chapter on the South African or global HIV epidemic. However, we are shifting the needle and tracking the gains as measured by reduced mortality and infections and prolonged good health.

Applying A Similar Approach To Gbv

PSET, as a microcosm of the greater society, is not immune to GBV and its nonlinear root causes. We are poised to apply a similarly deliberate, multifaceted approach to eradicating GBV as we did to HIV. Some key pillars have already been implemented, and others are being prepared for rollout to ensure our actions grow into a national presence and develop in sophistication and results.

The PSET GBV Policy Framework, the protocol on rape, and a code of ethics are facilitating the implementation of interventions – namely, case reporting, disciplinary systems, safeguarding evidence, rape kit provision, psychosocial support services and preventive and survivor-friendly infrastructure.

HIGHER HEALTH’s accredited civic, social and health co-curriculum, covering gender equality/diversity, GBV, mental health and sexual and reproductive health, enrolled about 500 000 students. Over 700 000 students were linked to health, wellness and psychosocial services through the HIGHER HEALTH 24/7 crisis helpline, and some 10 000 trained peer educators make up a more aware and empowered force within the overall student body.

In addition, we are making GBV a collective responsibility. A soon-to-be-launched multistakeholder partnership will mobilise men to co-craft a PSET where perpetrators have nowhere to hide, toxic masculinity becomes an unacceptable social norm, and gender equality, equity, safety and the empowerment of girls and women are promoted.

Resources

HIGHER HEALTH 24/7 toll-free crisis helpline: 0800 36 36 36