Various students from KwaZulu-Natal universities joined forces for the Durban University of Technology’s third Annual Silent Protest against Gender-Based Violence, on Wednesday, 16 August 2017.

The silent protest is a national event where various universities in different provinces come together to spread awareness against any form of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). In KwaZulu-Natal, DUT works together with the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the different institutions in the province to spread awareness on the silencing of GBV victims.

Addressing the media, Malusi Dlamini DUT Project Coordinator at the department of Student Counselling and Health, said the march was a way for them to show the damage caused by GBV and to also demonstrate in solidarity with the survivors and victims’ that GBV is totally unacceptable.

“As an institution we are taking action and also empowering our students to be able to stand up for themselves and be vocal. This has become important to us because victims are increasingly speaking out. For us, as a university we want to respond to the situations in  our society because our students are being groomed to be critical citizens of the country. Today we are empowering our young people to stand against any form of violence towards each one of us.” Said Dlamini.

Meanwhile as everyone (students and the community) marched silently with their mouths covered in black tape, various protesters were silently disclosing their experiences as sexual and physical abuse victims/survivors.

Pictured: Activists silently protesting against Gender Based Violence  in West Street Durban

Mbuso Kunene and Nomfundo Ngcobo