Workshop on Gender Based Violence a Success

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A workshop on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Abuse, jointly facilitated by UKZN and the Advice Desk for the Abused, brought together almost 40 students, Academics, Professionals and members of the public.

The participants were keen to engage and to get a better understanding of the causes of GBV as well as discuss interventions and strategies needed to minimise the issues presence in society.

The facilitators included Ms Sam Howlett, a Doctoral Candidate - currently conducting research on how to improve interventions – who addressed gender based violence and counselling approaches, and Ms Simone Plug, a Doctoral Candidate, who focused on the issue of journal reflection when dealing with trauma.

Professor Anthony Collins based at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) facilitated a session which illustrated different forms of abuse through video presentations, while UKZN’s Dr Lubna Nadvi and Ms Indira Vythilingam of the Advice Desk for the Abused jointly facilitated a session focusing on the work of Crisis Interventionists based at the Advice Desk.

Professor Suria Govender of UKZN assisted in facilitating role playing sessions which explored how to deal with incidents of gender-based violence in terms of reporting and post incidence trauma management.

Most of the facilitators are also board members of the Advice Desk for the Abused and active as practitioners in the field of GBV work.

‘The workshop was a great success in terms of feedback provided by the participants who indicated they would like to see more activities of this nature in future,’ said Dr Nadvi.

The Advice Desk will, in conjunction with UKZN and other partners, co-host similar workshops this year, and invites the University and broader community to participate in these and become empowered to address the challenges presented by GBV.

Melissa Mungroo