UKZN Hosts Workshops to Combat Gender-Based Violence

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) recently hosted a series of university-wide workshops on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the lead-up to the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness, strengthen institutional support, and foster a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all members of the University community.

The workshops, co-ordinated by the Human Resources Division in collaboration with Student Services and Risk Management Services (RMS), covered a wide range of critical topics. These included the different forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), relevant legal and institutional policies, and step-by-step guidance on identifying, reporting, and referring cases at UKZN.

“We have a social and moral responsibility in terms of gender-based violence, as employees and as citizens,” said Dr Manoshni Perumal, Director of Human Resources Development.

“We’ve made excellent progress in finalising the University’s GBV five-year Strategy, the Plan of Action, resuscitating the GBV Committee, developing the Terms of Reference and finalising the incident reporting process flows.”

One of the key sessions, facilitated by Mr Sanele Zuma, Chairperson of Men of Virtue, and Ms Shelley Barnsley, a College Manager for Student Support Services, explored the theme: ‘Understanding the Continuum and Underlying Dynamics of GBV’. Using a “tea and consent” analogy, Zuma highlighted the importance of consent and examined the secondary trauma that arises from not being believed. Barnsley, a psychologist, stressed the need for open dialogue and warned against shifting blame.

Dr Tamaryn Crankshaw, Programme Leader for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights at UKZN’s Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), examined legislative developments around SGBV in South Africa and their implications for Higher Education. She emphasised the legal duty to report for educators and healthcare providers, while highlighting UKZN’s student-centred approach, that prioritises agency, safety, and well-being.

Dr Perumal and Ms Janet Maguire from Human Resources presented on ‘UKZN’s Zero Tolerance Approach to GBV’, outlining the grievance procedures and the University’s protocols for addressing both minor and serious misconduct.

Ms Zinhle Ngcobo, RMS SGBV Investigator, walked participants through the University’s official SGBV response protocol. She urged staff and students to report GBV-related incidents to RMS immediately so that evidence can be preserved, and reassured participants that survivors who feel uncomfortable approaching RMS offices may contact investigators directly. “All cases are treated with the utmost confidentiality,” she emphasised.

Employee wellness also featured prominently. Ms S’lindile Ninela from LYRA, the University’s employee wellness provider, shared available support services, including a 24/7 multilingual call centre (0800 254 255) offering personal, legal, financial, and family care assistance for staff and their immediate families.

EMERGENCY AND SUPPORT CONTACTS
RMS Control Room contact numbers:
Edgewood campus: 031 260 3493
Howard College campus: 031 260 2540/42
Medical School: 031 260 2540/4
Pietermaritzburg campus: 033 260 5211/6215
Westville campus: 031 260 7133/7265

Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

Image: Shutterstock