Task team appointed to combat gender-based violence at universities

On 3 May, Naledi Pandor appointed a ministerial task team to advise the minister of higher education and training on matters relating to gender-based violence at colleges and universities.

At the time, the Department of Higher Education confirmed:

Through this Policy Framework the DHET is creating an enabling environment for the eradication GBV and instil respect, protection, promotion and fulfilment of human rights as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

This follows after a group of academics submitted a proposal on how to address cases of sexual harassment and abuse at academic institutions. The necessary steps to be taken include:

The publication of a register of sexual offenders. The registers should be accessed before new staff appointments are made.

Special investigation into the extent of sexual offences, both related to students and staff.

The blacklisting of those found guilty of sexual offences to ensure the safety of students.

Establishing a charter of ethics to clearly specify conduct pertaining to harassment and violence.

Issuing quarterly reports on the statistics of sexual offences committed at universities and colleges.

The task team has been appointed for a year, starting June 2019. They will begin by identifying policy weaknesses at institutions of higher learning and report on and manage gender-based harm. The team consists of:

Lisa Vetten

Dr Babalwa Magoqwana

Professor Jackie Dugard

Professor Pumla Gqola

Dr Robert Morrell

Jerome September

Professor Malehoko Tshoaedi

Corinne Knowles

A Student Representative nominated by the South African Union of Students (SAUS)

Lisa Vetten confirmed that the council will have national and provincial representation, and will include representatives for trade unions, chapter 9, and for the LGBTQI and disability sectors.

Minister Pandor said that by confronting difficult issues, we can create a society where everyone, especially women, feels safe and are safe at all times and in all places. She added:

Gender-based violence is not acceptable. Condemnation needs to be constant and consistent, perpetrators need to be prosecuted. It requires that we address societal issues of patriarchy, economic relations and changing the way of thinking about gender relations.

Furthermore, she said that no man is entitled to exert economic and other forms of power over women, and that no woman must find themselves tolerating the injustices perpetrated against them.

In addition, we need to challenge the preconceived notions of how women and men should behave, and that men and women are equal in all respects.

Tags: sexual harassmentSouth AfricaUniversities

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