UKZN Unveils Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence

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UKZN marked International Women’s Day on 8 March by unveiling its new action plan: Responding to Gender-Based Violence at UKZN.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nana Poku, said that this initiative is not only central to the University’s broader Project Renewal; it is at the heart of its Duty of Care and conforms with its moral and legal obligations.

‘It is a matter of shame and distress that our campuses are not safe havens from the sexual harassment and Gender-Based Violence that beset the South African society,’ Poku added. ‘The many proclamations on women’s rights include specific provisions for educational settings, such as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), which requires us to “establish adequate educational and other appropriate structures with particular attention to women and to sensitise everyone to the rights of women” [Article 8(c)].’

Poku noted that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), which is pervasive across the country’s Higher Education sector not only results in poor educational performance and physical, mental and emotional trauma; it is also harmful to the broader campus community. ‘Insecure and/or threatening environments are pernicious and debilitating and protecting women’s human rights is fundamental to peaceful co-existence. So we cannot ask, “What kind of university do we want?” without also invoking the question, “What kind of community will create and sustain our ideals?”’

UKZN is home to a large, diverse student population, more than half of which lives in university-owned or sponsored accommodation, calling for a specific response to SGBV. Poku said that in order to inform policy, the University has engaged in a series of consultations and in-depth analyses of this issue since 2019.

‘We have now produced an immediately implementable plan as the first step towards a long-term, sustainable strategic response. The plan aims to make visible and operationalise a zero-tolerance approach to SGBV. This means that this issue will be prioritised as part of Project Renewal’s transformation of structures and organisational frameworks that allow violence to occur on campuses. At the same time, UKZN will seek to change norms by raising awareness and knowledge of gender inequalities among students and staff.’

A dedicated SGBV hub will be established in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal to oversee the implementation of the zero-tolerance response to SGBV and to track and report on progress.

UKZN’s plan is based on three key interlocking and mutually reinforcing components: 1) Creating enabling environments; 2) Prevention and Awareness; and 3) Support and Assistance.

Poku thanked all the members of the University community who participated in the consultations. ‘I am very proud of this important policy orientation, which will pervade every aspect of University business and begin the vital work of revitalising and strengthening protection of women’s human rights and advancing their work and careers in a safe, enabling environment.’

Words: NdabaOnline

Image: Supplied