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31 July 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba
GEAD Infographic

The Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) is an integral part of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice. Its primary focus is to create a safe and inclusive environment for students and staff. The office plays a crucial role in shaping the student experience and in fostering inclusivity in student accommodation and residence environments.

The GEADO takes proactive steps to achieve this, including implementing guidelines and policies to address and prevent gender-based violence and sexual misconduct. It also conducts conscientisation workshops to raise awareness, challenge biases, and promote empathy among stakeholders.

“As an integral component of our initiatives, the GEADO implements proactive measures to foster safe spaces for students, through the establishment of its Sexual Offence Response Team (SORT) and sexual harassment guidelines,” said Dr Lentsu Nchabeleng, Deputy Director of the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office. She further emphasised, “These frameworks are formulated to tackle and prevent occurrences of gender-based violence and sexual misconduct, ensuring a secure, healthy, and conducive environment for both students and staff to flourish and develop as individuals and as a community.” The GEADO is currently reviewing the UFS Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Sexual Violence Policy to strengthen its commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence and sexual misconduct.

Beyond addressing specific incidents, the GEADO aims to cultivate an inclusive and socially just atmosphere across the UFS’s campuses. It closely monitors the environment, identifies trends, and stays updated on global and local interventions to positively impact its work.

The office is a driving force behind fostering a safe, inclusive, and socially just campus culture that embraces gender equality and combats discrimination. It partners with LGBTIAQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, queer, and others) organisations like Free State Rainbow Seeds to further support its mission. Some of the programmes championed by the office include safety zone training, sexuality sensitisation, and diversity training.

Safe zone training

The Safe Zones@UFS project is modelled after a similar programme in the USA, specifically the Safe Zones Project at San Diego State University. Its purpose is to create a supportive and safe environment for individuals who identify as LGBTIAQ+.

Dr Nchabeleng said the project encompasses the training of faculty members and students to become Safe Zones allies, offering support to students, staff, as well as families and friends of individuals identifying as LGBTIAQ+. She emphasised that the role of Safe Zone allies involves providing assistance to LGBTIAQ+ students and staff during their coming-out process, serving as an informative resource for LGBTIAQ+ matters, advocating for LGBTIAQ+ rights, and acting as a referral point for other essential services, including medical and counselling support.

Sexuality sensitisation

Gender and sexuality sensitisation is crucial for fostering inclusive and respectful environments in educational institutions, workplaces, and communities. It involves raising awareness about consent, sexual minorities, and diverse gender identities, while addressing gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and misconduct. The approach includes consent education, understanding sexual minorities, exploring gender identities, combating gender-based violence and harassment, promoting safe spaces, challenging stereotypes, encouraging allyship, and promoting positive masculinity and femininity. Overall, these efforts create a more understanding and supportive community in which individuals of all genders and sexual orientations can thrive.

Diversity Training

The Diversity Training programme focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of diverse backgrounds and experiences. It includes workshops and training to address unconscious bias, promoting a fair and equitable environment. The goal is to create a sense of belonging, where everyone feels accepted and valued. The programme is flexible and can be customised for organisations or communities, and it can be delivered through various formats. Embracing diversity and inclusion can lead to better outcomes, improved teamwork, and the attracting of diverse talent. Overall, it fosters a culture of inclusivity and appreciation for diverse perspectives, benefitting both individuals and organisations.

Important contact information

Bloemfontein Campus: +27 51 401 3982

South Campus: +27 51 401 7544

Qwaqwa Campus: +27 58 718 5431

Toll-free number +27 80 020 4682

News Archive

Sello, Brits and Van Vuuren shine at Varsity athletics
2017-03-10

Description:Varsity athletics   Tags: Varsity athletics  longdesc=

Elmé Smith represented Kovsies in the 100 m
and 200 m at the Varsity athletics event in
Potchefstroom.
Photo: Mario van de Wall/SASPA

Jovan van Vuuren, Maryke Brits, and Tsepang Sello were our big stars at the first Varsity athletics event in Potchefstroom. They all finished first in their items and helped their Kovsies team claim an excellent overall third position among eight universities.

The jumps by Van Vuuren and Brits (both long jump) of 7.73 m and 6.11 m respectively were the longest, while Sello’s time in the 800 m was 2:12.01. Brits not only won the long jump, but was also second in the 100 m hurdles (13.65 s).

UFS outperform the likes of Maties, UJ

The Kovsies eventually bragged with three first, seven second, and two third spots on the podium. They ran, jumped and threw, bagging altogether 12 podium spots to accumulate 14 902 points (with an average of 993). Tuks, with 15 604 (1 040), and Pukke with 15 252 (1 017) was respectively first and second on 3 March 2017. Our team outperformed universities like the Maties and the University of Johannesburg.

Rynardt, Kesa claim second place

Big names such as Rynardt van Rensburg (800 m, second in 1:50.49) and Kesa Molotsane (1 500 m, second in 04:29.31) also scored podium spots. The second Varsity athletics meeting will take place in Pretoria on 31 March 2017.

Team results in Potch:

1. Tuks 15 604 (Top 15’s average: 1 040)
2. Puk 15 252 (1 017)
3. Kovsies 14 902 (993)
4. UJ 14857 (990)
5. Maties 14317 (954)
6. UWC 14068 (938)
7. Madibaz 13721 (915)
8. TUT 13463 (898)

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