14 February 2023
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Story Prof Nicholas Pearce
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Photo Andre Damons
The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of the Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with PathCare laboratories, joined forces on Valentine’s Day – since it is seen as a day of unconditional love that you share with your partner – reaching out to the community in the Bloemfontein CBD and Preller Square, by drawing attention to gender-based violence – a topic that is often misunderstood, not discussed, and often occurs behind closed doors.
The University of the Free State views gender-based violence (GBV) as a scourge of our modern society. In this vein, the
Faculty of Health Sciences and the
Faculty of the Humanities joined forces on Valentine’s Day, since it is seen as a day of unconditional love that you share with your partner.
In collaboration with
PathCare laboratories, the university saw an opportunity to reach out to the community in the CBD and Preller Square. The idea was to draw attention to a topic that is often misunderstood, not discussed, and often occurs behind closed doors. Medical and Humanities students actively engaged with the communities by handing out Valentine’s chocolates and information pamphlets regarding GBV.
Community engagement forms part of the UFS’ strategic goals. The collaboration between these two faculties on such an important topic is testament to the university’s commitment to eradicating GBV in all forms and manifestations.
Prof Frans Maruma, Head of the Marketing Committee for the
School of Clinical Medicine, stated that “gender-based violence has no place in our modern society. Most of the time, victims are among us and go unrecognised”.
The Faculty of the Humanities provided a visual aspect to this important topic by doing the make-up of the students involved in order to highlight the abuse these victims suffer. Mr Cloete (Faculty of the Humanities) indicated that “no person is immune to gender-based violence, and gender-based violence transcends race, gender, and wealth”.
Pathcare laboratories was proud to collaborate with the University of the Free State, as this aligns with their ideology of community-based care. PathCare recognises its role in the broader society by offering to test victims of GBV. PathCare offers a range of tests, specially catered towards GBV survivors to ensure that appropriate medical care can be provided in the shortest possible turnaround time.
Two thousand chocolates and pamphlets were distributed to members of the community through this collaboration. The university and the private sector hope to eradicate GBV on local and national level.
Gender-based violence may be any of the following: physical abuse, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, socio-economic abuse, domestic violence, or abuse such as sexual harassment. Below are the UFS contact details for victims of GBV.
University of the Free State
Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO)
Bloemfontein Campus
Deputy Director: Nchabeleng Lentsu
nchabelengnv@ufs.ac.za
Senior Officer: Geraldine Lengau
Contact: +27 51 401 3982
South Campus
Senior Officer: Mocwana Chelepe
Contact: +27 51 401 7544
Student Counselling and Development (SCD)
Contact: +27 51 401 9236
Victim Empowerment Centre (TCC)
Walk-ins.
HOTLINES:
UFS SART (Sexual Assault Response Team)
+27 57 401 7777
GBVCC (Gender-Based Violence Command Centre)
0800 428 428
Please call me facility:
*120*7867#
Skype line:
Helpme GBV for members of the deaf community.
An SMS-based line:
31531 for persons with disabilities (SMS ‘help’ to 31531)