VUT stands in unison with fellow institutions to curb the scourge of gender-based violence
By: Jacob Thamaga & Qhawekazi Memani – 01 September 2023
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) made its voice heard at the inaugural Transforming MENtalities Summit which took place on 29 August 2023 at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg.
Hosted by the Department of Higher Education (DHET) in partnership with Higher Health and the Human Science Research Council (HSRC), the Summit sought to rally higher education institutions, along with other key sector stakeholder groups to unite for change and play their part in curbing the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) within their spaces.
The primary purpose of the Summit was to transform the perceptions around men in the higher education sector, with the hope of reducing the challenges of GBV.
According to DHET, there are various challenges associated with GBV such as sexual assault (sex in exchange of marks and sex in exchange of jobs), physical abuse, killings, and many others. Leading the discussions, the Department also indicated that the summit was organised in as attempt to change men’s perceptions on how they deal with their personal matters which in return instigate the above listed violence – citing that various studies echo that men go through a lot of challenges hence they turn to be perpetrators of women abuse in their workspace.
Based on UNESCO’s Transforming MENtalities Initiative launched in 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean and later spread to several other countries, the Summit saw top management, staff and students from higher education institutions as well representatives from sector partners such as SETAs, gather under one roof to address the root causes of violence against women.
Representing VUT at this important gathering, were the Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal, Dr Dan Mokoena; the Executive Director for Human Resources, Ms Busisiwe Ramadodu; the Acting Manager for the CAD: African Language Development Unit (ALDU), Mr Jacob Thamaga; along with representatives from the Student Support Services Department and Thapelo Kgakatsi who is the Project Officer for the VUT Institutional HIV & Aids Unit, National Secretary General for Gender Practitioners Community of Practice for South African Universities and also a coordinator for the Second Curriculum on Peer Education Programme alongside a group of Peer Educators and a representative from the VUT Residence Living and Learning and Welfare Office,HK’s, GCI.
The participation of VUT at this summit is part of its commitment and concerted effort to eliminate the scourge of GBV on its campus. As an institution that ‘walks the talk’, VUT has a draft Gender Based Violence, LGBTQIA+, Unfair Discrimination and Harassment Policy that seeks to regulate staff and student conduct both on -and- off campus. The University has also adopted a zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence and is committed to a safe environment for all – this is underpinned by one of the goals outlined on the institution’s Integrated Transformation Plan (ITP) that places emphasis on social inclusion, safety and cohesion.
In his address, DHET Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, encouraged men to refrain from the saying: “men don’t cry, and don’t share the problems – they die inside”, adding that it continues to damage them mentally. Dr Nzimande also alluded that once one does not go for therapy to address his challenges or previous abuses then he will end up victimizing innocent people out there. In encouraging men to work together to protect women, the Minister said more communities of practice/bodies should be established to transform men’s mentality to moving away from abusing women to protecting them.
Another guest speaker, Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma, the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons living with Disabilities, praised DHET for organising the summit, saying that she believes that the higher education sector is a feeder to the society and if the products are full of violence, then the society/workforce will be full of gender-based violence. She further blamed culture which dictates how men and women should be raised. “Women are always belittled in the families and during the weddings they are being told to tolerate abuse and they are told not to report about their internal marriage affairs which is part of the societal problem”, she said.
Furthermore, during the event, attendees heard messages of support from various stakeholders and friends of the sector, who explained how their organisations contribute to transforming the mentalities around GBV.
Notably, Ms Gabriela Ramos, the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of at UNESCO revealed shocking reports which places South Africa at the top with high cases of GBV and Femicide. However, she thanked DHET for taking this kind of initiative to address the challenges.
Likewise, the summit also offered a platform for perpetrators and victims of GBV to share their experiences and how they overcame the challenges and what they are currently doing to ensure that the next generation of men or women do not face what they went through.
In the end, Minister Nzimande read the declarations of the 2023 Transforming Mentallities Summit which will be sent to the institutions with the guidelines for implementation.