Languages: 
In response to the affliction brought on by gender-based violence which has shaken the country to its core in the past few years, Bank SETA has incepted a GBV-prevention programme aimed particularly at universities.
Eastern Cape based institutions of higher learning, Walter Sisulu University, Rhodes University, and the University of Fort Hare are the first recipients of the resources set aside for the programme, which is in its pilot stage.
With assistance from Bank-SETA-appointed consultants, each university will identify GBV quandaries unique to itself, and receive training which will enable them to implement the Department of Higher Education and Training’s framework on gender-based violence.
Speaking at an inception meeting held between Bank SETA and WSU, Bank SETA’s Head of Strategy and Research, Vuyani Ntanjana said: “Because we are a skills development institution, we funded this programme with the purpose of training university employees, to develop material that may be needed by each institution, and to make sure that we do some kind of awareness in respect to the issues of Gender based Violence.”
While many GBV cases like that of slain UFH student, Nosicelo Mtebeni, make national news and receive their day in court, many go unreported.
A recent study on GBV Amongst Female Students, done with a sample of students from WSU, UFH, Rhodes, and NMU, showed that 56.5% of the students experienced emotional or verbal violence, 46.7% experienced sexual violence, and 36.3% physical violence. The prevalence of attempted rape was 36.7%, while complete rape was 28.9%.
Although these statistics represent a small portion of students from all four institutions, they do indicate a great need for an understanding of the causes, as well as substantial intervention measures to curb GBV in higher learning institutions.
WSU’s Executive Director for Student Affairs, Dr Irene Mohasoa said that as a department that is concerned with student’s wellbeing, they have dealt with multiple cases of GBV within the university.
Mohasoa also stated that aside from GBV, they have also dealt with violence amongst students, and welcome any efforts which will strengthen their ability to change behaviours and tackle these issues.
“Looking at the data that we have, and the monitoring reports that are compiled, we are going to have targeted programmes. We already have specific programmes for female students, male students, and the LGBTQI community. We are going to ensure that those groups are targeted because the needs or challenges are not the same and I must say one of the things that we are going to do is look into cultural issues as well,” said Mohasoa.
Before being rolled out to other universities, the Bank SETA programme will run at the three pilot universities from 2022 to 2024, focussing on training different divisions like student counselling services, residence units, health and wellness, as well as student leadership.
By Yanga Ziwele
