South Africa's gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis continues to claim lives, devastate families, and restrict the freedom of women and girls to participate fully in society. The scale of the problem is reflected in the 50 511 GBVF cases recorded by the South African Police Service between April and June 2026 alone. These figures represent reported cases, but they also point to a much wider social problem: one in which women continue to face violence, intimidation, and harassment, while harmful attitudes and the silence surrounding abuse allow the problem to persist. The classification of GBVF as a national disaster in November 2025 underscored the urgency of confronting a crisis that cannot be addressed through isolated interventions or public statements alone.

As South Africa prepares to observe the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children from 25 November to 10 December, the University of the Free State (UFS) is calling for a change in the standards that govern how people treat one another. Under the theme The Standard We Set, the University challenges men to examine their attitudes and behaviour towards women, to question what they tolerate among their peers, and to speak up when confronted with sexism, harassment, or abuse. However, gender-based violence is not a problem that men alone must confront. It is a societal concern that requires the commitment of individuals, institutions, and communities. Neither should this responsibility be confined to the 16 days of activism. Respect, safety, and the protection of women's dignity must be upheld in everyday interactions and remain a sustained commitment throughout the year.

Much of this change begins with recognising that gender-based violence is not always immediately visible. It can be reinforced through seemingly ordinary interactions, the assumptions people make about survivors, and the reluctance to challenge harmful behaviour. Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller, UFS Research Theme Leader: Flourishing Life, reflects on how these attitudes become normalised:

“We like to think of gender-based violence as something that happens elsewhere – to other people. But it begins in ordinary places: the joke everyone laughs at so as not to spoil the mood; the questions we ask about her and never about him (what was she wearing? Why didn’t she struggle or leave?); and the family that keeps abuse ‘private’.”

Challenging the attitudes that enable violence

The everyday examples raised by Prof Bohler-Muller point to a difficult reality: the responsibility for preventing gender-based violence begins long before an incident is reported. It also lies in the choices people make when they encounter sexist remarks, harassment, victim-blaming, or abuse. When such behaviour is dismissed, excused, or kept quiet to protect relationships, it reinforces the conditions in which violence can continue.

Prof Bohler-Muller argues that GBV should not be viewed as a series of individual tragedies, separate from the way society functions. Its effects are evident in the restrictions women place on their own lives to avoid danger: the routes they take, the hours they travel, the spaces they avoid, and the experiences they may feel unable to report. She describes this as ‘flourishing denied’. Addressing the problem therefore requires more than expecting women to adapt their lives around the threat of violence. It requires creating environments in which their safety, freedom, and participation are not conditional.

This also calls for a society in which women's voices, contributions, and rights are recognised and valued. UFS Chancellor Prof Bonang Mohale emphasises the need for meaningful inclusion, both in organisations and in wider society.

“On an individual and organisational basis, it is important to understand, value, and seek out the inclusion of women and girls,” says Prof Mohale.

The inclusion of women must be reflected not only in representation, but also in whether they are heard, respected, and able to participate in decision-making without discrimination or intimidation. A culture that values women's contributions must also protect their right to live and work free from violence and harassment.

These standards are shaped in everyday environments, including university campuses. Students and staff influence campus culture through their interactions, the behaviour they accept, and the way they respond when someone is mistreated. Vukona Baloyi, President of the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council, says students must be prepared to challenge harmful conduct, even when it involves someone they know.

“Friendship is no excuse for defending harmful behaviour. If a friend harasses or disrespects someone, we must be prepared to challenge him rather than protect him.”

Baloyi's point reinforces the need for people to speak up when they witness harmful behaviour, rather than allowing personal relationships or loyalty to excuse it. Men have an important role to play in challenging the conduct of their peers; but creating a safe and respectful university environment is a shared responsibility. Students and staff alike must recognise that the way they treat others, and the behaviour they choose to tolerate, helps to shape the culture of the University community.

The University's commitment to addressing gender-based violence is grounded in its responsibility to foster an inclusive environment in which every member of the community can participate, learn, work, and flourish without fear of violence or discrimination. This responsibility extends beyond responding to incidents. It includes challenging the social attitudes that perpetuate inequality, promoting respect for human dignity, ensuring accountability, and strengthening the conditions in which women and girls can exercise their rights and realise their potential. These commitments are central to the University's pursuit of Responsible Societal Futures.

Support and assistance at the University of the Free State

The University's commitment to the safety and well-being of its community is also reflected in the support and response structures available to those affected by sexual offences and misconduct. Through its Sexual Offence Response Team (SORT), the University coordinates a multidisciplinary response involving Protection Services, the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice, the Health and Wellness Centre, the Student Discipline and Mediation Unit, and other relevant structures. This coordinated approach brings together reporting, institutional processes, and access to appropriate assistance, including counselling and psychosocial support.

Students can access counselling through Student Counselling and Development, while staff members have access to employee wellness support.

Reporting and support contacts:

Gender-based violence must never be excused, normalised, or met with silence. The University of the Free State calls on every member of its community to challenge harmful behaviour, uphold the dignity of others, and make respect and accountability part of everyday life.