An estimated number of 3 600 women could be falling victim to rape every day in South Africa; this according to South African Medical Research Council statistics quoted in an article published in the Cape Times earlier this year.

A bitter reality, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a constant national issue that is now prevailing in the Higher Education and Training sphere.

The International Centre for Non-violence (ICON) based at the Durban University of Technology, in association with MIET Africa and the Association for Baha’i Studies in Southern Africa, is hosting the Strategies for Non-violence in Education Conference at the Ritson Campus examination hall. This three-day event is geared towards addressing the growing problem of gender-based violence in higher education institutions.

The event started on Monday July 1 and ends on Wednesday, July 3. Attendees range from academics to non-violence activists to students. Various panelists have been invited to speak on gender-based violence issues and how institutions can combat these.

Discussions that took place on Tuesday were centred on rape and university culture. Among the speakers was Professor Sinegugu Duma, a Residence Co-ordinator at the University of Cape Town (UCT), who addressed delegates on her topic: “Acting against sexual violence in the university residences”.

Based on her experience, Prof Duma noted that GBV is a growing trend in residences that is perceived to be a norm. She explained the latter to be psychological as students who are perpetrators of this kind of violence grew up in environments where such behaviour was normal. But Prof Duma said there are many other factors that cause GBV; among these, she counted the abuse of substances like alcohol and drugs.

In order to curb sexual violence in residences, she said intervention is key. “We must promote healthy relationships. Students must learn to negotiate for consent because rape is sexual intercourse without consent,” she said. In addition, Prof Duma said a culture of unity has to exist- meaning that, as opposed to resorting to silence, bystanders should start playing an active role in dealing with this issue too.

UCT PhD student Sarah Gordon’s talk was based on her thesis for her Master’s degree (obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal). Titled “It is not going to happen to me”, the thesis mainly addresses fear and GBV among female residence students at UKZN, whilst highlighting solutions for this.

Other speakers were University of KwaZulu Natal Lecturer Dr Antony Collins and UKZN postgraduate student Tarryn du Randt.

– Mbali Madlala and Thabo Maile

Pictured: Panel guests at the Strategies for Non-violence in Education Conference, held at the DUT Ritson Campus on Tuesday July 2, 2013.

From left to right: UKZN Lecturer, Dr Antony Collins; UKZN Postgraduate student, Tarryn du Randt; UCT PhD student, Sarah Gordon and UCT Residence Co-ordinator Professor Sinegugu Duma.