”Gender-Based Violence is not only a societal epidemic but also a critical skills deficit in our country – one that must be addressed through targeted skills development.” by Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia (CEO of Higher Health)

Pretoria, South Africa – The Post-School Education and Training sector is home to over 2.5 million youth, including more than 51% adolescent girls and young women, faces a serious GBV crisis. The statistics are alarming, with South African women experiencing a lifetime risk of 45.6% for GBVF, well above the global average. Furthermore, 10% of all reported rape cases in the country occur within the higher education sector, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

As PSET institutions are a microcosm of the bigger society, where GBV is a deeply rooted pandemic, GBV poses a serious threat to students and staff, affects academic excellence, sectoral throughput and the education and skills development aspirations for South Africa. It is widely known that students and staff entering academic institutions bear the unwarranted cost of the threat and reality of being raped, sexually assaulted, harassed, victimised, and stalked.

To address this, Higher Health is committed to tackling gender-related challenges that this country grapples with by building essential skills on gender for every student in South Africa both in the PSET sector and out of school youth. Higher Health has developed an Accredited Civic and Soft Skills qualification with a groundbreaking module on Gender at NQF Level 5, accredited by Qualifications Certificate Trades Occupation (QCTO).

The curriculum has also globally acknowledged by agencies like UNESCO, among others. It is written at a basic literacy level and is being built in multiple South African languages, including sign language and the eligibility is any learner with Grade 9 qualification (NQF Level 1) to enter and with exit outcomes of NQF Level 5.

The country needs tangible skills and gender should be treated as a skills gap in the country. Every student coming out must acquire skills on how to deal with gender. These are young generation who are going to form families, the skills are going to help them personally. The skills will also help professionally because when they go into workplaces it will help in the conduct where the most effect on gender parity is seen where the issues of gender-based violence arise, transactional sex arise and sex for work.

In addition to addressing GBV through the gender module which further addresses issue of gender equality, embracing gender diversity, as well as Transforming MENtalities, Higher Health issued micro-credential modules accredited by QCTO on mental health, drugs and substance abuse, comprehensive sexuality education (addressing HIV, teenage pregnancies and others) and climate action – with a specific focus on how climate change affects gender jobs and it is a huge subject matter on its own. Other soft skills modules include conflict management, emotional intelligence, empathy, critical decision-making, civic responsibility and financial literacy.

Higher Health has launched these modules and we already started seeing the impact.

Over the past four years, Higher Health has facilitated interactive peer to peer driven GBV co-curriculum programmes with more than 500 000 students across the 26 public universities, 50 TVET colleges, and 9 CET colleges. These dialogues provide students with the opportunity to explore the causes, impacts, and solutions to GBV, empowering them to take an active role in eliminating violence on their campuses.

To complement these dialogues, Higher Health introduced self-risk assessment toolkits where over 400 000 students have helped identified their own personal vulnerabilities and exposure to gender violence, sexual violence and including perpetrator risk assessments.

Through the Higher Health network of professional counsellors and psychologists and social workers, Higher Health has assisted 19,365 students across PSET institutions with psychosocial counselling services, and further linkage towards judicial and other care and support services support services. Higher Health’s efforts aim to prevent toxic relationships and save lives through early identification and support. Early intervention Saves lives!

Higher Health’s collaboration with UNESCO on the Transforming MENtalities programme further emphasizes our commitment to addressing the root causes of GBV towards empowering men. This programme engages the PSET sector leadership in promoting positive redefinitions of masculinity and meaningful engagement of men and boys, alongside women and girls, in the pursuit of gender equality.
It is an innovative initiative launched in partnership with UNESCO and championed by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela.

This pioneering programme focuses on engaging men and boys as allies in promoting gender equality while reshaping traditional definitions of masculinity in our colleges and universities. South Africa became the first African country to formally adopt UNESCO’s Transforming MEN’talities initiative during the landmark Transforming MEN’talities Summit, held in August 2023 during Women’s Month. The summit, attended by over 1,500 delegates, marked a historic moment for the region and the world, establishing South Africa as a global leader in gender-transformative education.

Since the summit, Higher Health has hosted around 30 additional Transforming MEN’talities conferences across multiple universities and colleges, reaching a diverse mix of students from universities, TVET colleges, and community education and training (CET) institutions in all provinces.

These engagements are rooted in Higher Health’s nationally recognised peer- to-peer education model, which since inception has trained over 10,000 peer educators – many of whom are survivors of GBV or students living with HIV. Through their work, these peer educators facilitate safe, student-centred dialogue on GBV, mental health, and psychosocial wellbeing, while actively encouraging help-seeking behaviours and reporting. As part of the commitment to shifting gender norms, Higher Health is now intentionally training more male peer educators, including some who are reforming perpetrators of GBV, to become credible messengers of change across campus communities.

To date, the Transforming MEN’talities programme has reached over 421,700 students through peer-led dialogues and campaigns, advancing a culture of accountability, empathy, and respect. These efforts are bolstered by Higher Health’s national network of counsellors, psychologists, and social workers who have assisted 19,365 students with psychosocial counselling and referral services. The initiative not only supports survivors and those in crisis but also works preventatively—cultivating values essential to building a safer, more inclusive society.

South Africa’s leadership in gender transformation was globally reaffirmed in May 2025 when Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a historic keynote address at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Joined by Minister, Mr Manamela and Higher Health, the South African delegation was received by over 100 ambassadors and permanent delegates from the global UNESCO family. The Deputy President’s speech emphasized inclusive, evidence- based strategies that empower both men and women, and celebrated South Africa’s bold steps in tackling the GBV pandemic through the lens of positive masculinity and systemic reform.

The Department of Higher Education and Training celebrates this moment of international recognition and remains firmly committed to advancing gender-responsive education, inclusive leadership, and youth-driven change across the PSET sector.

Additionally, during Women’s month in August 2025, Higher Health will be hosting a few GBV Roundtable Discussions which feature a panel discussion with our Minister, Mr Buti Manamela, our Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe Gondwe, real-life GBV survivors (female students who have been counselled by Higher Health), technical experts, student and institutional leadership, and other key stakeholders, culminating in the signing of a Pledge Wall.

This event is critical to bring together key stakeholders, experts, support structures, and students for essential conversations about GBV and to strategize on effective, collaborative responses. The platform also provides a safe space for engagements between our Ministry and young scholars, writers, activists, policy makers, academia, students, government officials and diaspora where the intention is to raise awareness and encourage robust conversation among participants, and to give them an opportunity for their voices to be heard.

This Roundtable aims to catalyse a multi-sectoral response to GBV, with direct engagement from government, academia, the justice system, and affected student communities. It also serves to reflect on the implementation of the DHET Policy Framework to Address GBV in the PSET Sector (2020), as well as strengthen the role of civic education, mental health, and campus safety in creating survivor-centered, accountable institutions.

In addition to the high-level discussions, HIGHER HEALTH will be providing on-site psychosocial support services for students in need of counselling or emotional support, reaffirming its commitment to a survivor-centred approach. A dedicated exhibition stand will showcase the range of interventions and programmes led by HIGHER HEALTH to prevent and respond to GBV, promote mental health, and foster safer campus environments. As a symbolic and action-oriented gesture, the Minister will also be invited to sign a GBV Pledge Wall, reinforcing government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence within higher education institutions and ensuring that every student, especially women and vulnerable groups, can learn and thrive in an environment free from violence, stigma and fear.

Protocols to Support Implementation of the DHET’s Gender-Based Violence Policy Framework

Since the launch of the GBV Policy Framework in 2020, Higher Health has played a leading role in operationalising systemic responses to GBV throughout the PSET sector. In partnership with DHET, the organisation has established a GBV Technical Task Team (TTT), chaired by Professor Lenka Bula and composed of representatives from government, student bodies, civil society, academia, and international agencies.

This task team has developed eight national protocols on topics ranging from rape response and campus safety to ethics in staff-student relations and private accommodation standards. A ninth protocol, focused on victim support and complaint procedures through Thuthuzela Care Centres, is currently under development.

Higher Health, as the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) official implementation partner in the provision of student health, wellbeing, and development services, also plays a strategic role in supporting the Department’s administrative and legislative responsibilities. This includes assisting in the development of legislation, policies, norms and standards, operational guidelines, and procedures aimed at improving campus safety and advancing gender justice.

In fulfilling this mandate, Higher Health has developed an extensive suite of GBV-related protocols and guidelines tailored to the unique environment of the PSET sector.

These include:
•⁠ ⁠Implementation Procedural Guidelines on Sexual and Gender Related Misconduct in PSET Institutions;
•⁠ ⁠Implementation Protocol on Rape and Sexual Assault Cases in the PSET Campuses;
•⁠ ⁠Implementation Protocol on the PSET Code of Ethics;
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Safety in Residences;
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Safety in Private Accommodation;
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Campus Safety and Security Minimum Standards;
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Staff-Student Relationships;
•⁠ ⁠Statement of Complaint;
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Whistleblowing;
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Staff and Student Travel; and
•⁠ ⁠Protocol on Management of SGBV by the Responsible Office.

These resources form the foundation for Higher Health’s targeted capacity-building initiatives. The protocols have been embedded into ongoing training programmes for campus security personnel and institutional GBV response officials. By equipping these stakeholders with clear procedural tools and a trauma-informed framework, Higher Health is strengthening institutional accountability and ensuring a safer, more responsive environment for students across the PSET landscape.

To-date Higher Health has capacitated over 10 000 staff in the Post-School Education and Training which includes Management, Student Support, Service staff among others in capacity and training around these protocols.

By addressing GBV through skills development and comprehensive support systems, Higher Health aims to foster a safer, more equitable educational environment, ensuring the well- being and success of all students and staff in our higher learning institutions in South Africa.

24-Hour Tollfree Helpline: GBV and Mental Health Support at Every Hour

Complementing all of the above is Higher Health’s 24-hour toll-free crisis helpline (0800 36 36 36), which continues to provide critical psychosocial support across the PSET sector. Operating 24/7/365, the helpline connects students in distress or in need to report GBV incidents with trained mental health professionals and offers referrals to psychologists, social workers, and Higher Health’s mobile clinical services. The helpline has become a trusted and compassionate point of contact for students facing a range of crises—including GBV, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation—ensuring that support is available at all hours and in all contexts.
Recognising the disparities in access to health and mental health services, especially across rural and township campuses, Higher Health is working to expand its clinical and psychosocial footprint through additional mobile and on-campus services.

First Things First: Health as a Foundation for Academic Success

The First Things First (FTF) model represents one of Higher Health’s most impactful, student-facing initiatives—bringing health services directly to young people where they study and live.

Through campus-based FTF events, students gain access to a comprehensive suite of counselling, testing, and screening services that address a wide range of physical, mental, and social health challenges.

Services offered at these events include:
•⁠ ⁠Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Support and Referrals
•⁠ ⁠HIV Testing and Counselling
•⁠ ⁠Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
•⁠ ⁠Screening and Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
•⁠ ⁠Mental Health Screening and Support
•⁠ ⁠Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
•⁠ ⁠LGBTQIA+ and Human Rights Awareness
•⁠ ⁠Blood Sugar Testing for Diabetes
•⁠ ⁠Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Screening
•⁠ ⁠Family Planning Services
•⁠ ⁠Drug and Substance Abuse Support

FTF events embody the core message that health and wellbeing must come first in order for students to successfully complete their qualifications and pursue future opportunities. The programme meets students at the intersection of education and personal wellbeing, offering direct engagement with care professionals while fostering awareness about healthy lifestyle choices and available support networks.

Higher Health develops 10,000 peer educators each year across every campus in Universities, TVETs and Community colleges countrywide. These unsung heroes on the ground, many of whom are survivors of GBV and students living with HIV. This peer-to-peer model creates a safe space for dialogue between peer educators and other peers and encourages reporting, thereby breaking the stigma surrounding GBV.