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Xhosa Student Association and GEADO host dialogue about gender-based violence

05 September 2023 | Story Nicole Bongo | Photo Supplied

GBV dialogue 2023 — The UFS Xhosa Student Association and Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office joined forces to host a dialogue to enlighten students on combating gender-based violence.

The Xhosa Student Association at the University of the Free State (UFS), along with the UFS Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) on its Bloemfontein Campus, recently hosted a dialogue titled ‘Aiding the Victim’, to educate students about what perpetuates gender-based violence, and inform them about UFS support services available to help fight GBV.

The discussion was held at the Education Auditorium on 25 August 2023, and students were challenged to pinpoint what GBV is and what it looks like. Balisa Nqambuza, Chairperson of the Xhosa Student Association and second-year BA student majoring in psychology and philosophy, said, “There is a need to have these tough conversations, as they provide insight on how to combat GBV in the future... We have had enough talks about the problem, and it is very important to start speaking about solutions that inform people of what they can do when encountering GBV.”

The event organisers said the dialogue was an opportunity for GEADO and the Xhosa Student Association to inform students about support structures within the university that provide help for students through free counselling sessions.

“The objective was to bring awareness about GBV victims amongst us, and how to assist them better, and to also highlight comprehensive approaches, as dialogues may discuss holistic approaches that address the multidimensional impact of GBV, including psychological, emotional, physical, and economic consequences,” said Pebetsi Kgole, a guest speaker and intern from GEADO.

In May 2023, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund reported a shocking rise in violence against women in South Africa, with 969 murders and 1 485 attempted murders recorded over this period. The UFS has put many structures in place to help in the fight against the scourge of GBV.

Other support services available include a sexual offense response team made up of GEADO, Protection Services, Kovsie Health, access to psychologists and social workers, and free services to help victims feel safe in a secure environment.

News Archive

Enough is enough, says students

2013-02-15

A student writes the name of a friend who has been a victim of rape, on the T-shirt worn by Mody Motholo – Former SRC interim president.
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane
14 February 2013

“I am morally tied to stop rape”, students say

Kovsie student and former SRC Interim President Mody Motholo is creating awareness about rape with a campaign called “I am morally tied to stop rape”.

As part of the campaign Mody chained herself to a tree on the Bloemfontein Campus to show how many of our students and women are living in bondage as a result of this type of crime. Students walking past the campaign station interacted with Mody, who informed them about the rape issues affecting students across our country and how we can join hands to stop the increasing cases of rape, both reported and not reported.

Students could also write down the names of victims on her T-shirt, which will later be used as an indication of this terrible crime in our country. “The first name written on this T-shirt was that of the latest reported rape case, namely Anene Booysen who was brutally gang raped.

"Within an hour this T-shirt was covered in names, which was an indication to me of the seriousness of the problems some students who are victims of rape are struggling with around our campus,” said Mody.

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