The recently concluded Transforming MENtalities Summit left an indelible mark on 1500 attendees, with its powerful engagement and insightful discussions poised to pave the way for transformation needs for men and boy behaviour. Held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, the summit brought together University Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Principals and Council Chairpersons of TVET Colleges, Student Support Structures and Leadership, CEOs of SETAs, entities of the Departments of Higher Education and Science and Innovation, policymakers, survivors, peer educators, and change-makers, all unified by a shared commitment to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
The Summit was hosted by HIGHER HEALTH and the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) on behalf of the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Science and Innovation. The aim was to engage the sector leadership, on transforming mentalities and address the root causes of GBV.
Evidence and data suggests that men behaviour has been one of the root causes of GBV and the Summit called for action for men and boys towards being part of the solution.
Background
In South Africa, a woman is raped every three (3) hour and South Africa is considered to be the rape capital of the world with 10 818 rape cases reported in the first quarter of 2022.
The lifetime risk of experiencing GBV is 45.6% for South African women; well above the global average of 35% (WHO 2013).
Sexual gender-based violence, and intimate partner violence are amongst the most prevalent forms of GBV in young women aged 16-25 years (UNICEF).
The Aim of the Transforming MENtalities Summit
The rationale for this Summit stems from discussions held within UNESCO over the past year dealing with a universal concern that we need to bring men and boys into the discourses on gender equality.
The Transforming MENtalities Summit is based on UNESCO’s Transforming MENtalities Initiative launched in 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean and later spread to a number of other countries.
The aim of this multistakeholder campaign and partnership is to champion a world free of gender biases, stereotypes, violence and discrimination, by changing cultural and societal norms through policies, advocacy and capacity-building initiatives.
Globally, current trends show that men and boys have largely been excluded from the gender equality discourse. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango.
I must emphasise that gender inequality is not a woman’s issue. It is a human rights issue that affects everyone in society and the engagement of men and boys is a crucial element for us to achieve the progress we desire in South Africa and beyond.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MINISTER BLADE NZIMANDE
The highlight of the event was the keynote address by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande. His resonating speech highlighted the substantial efforts undertaken by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Higher Health to fortify the defences against GBV within the PSET sector.
“Through HIGHER HEALTH, my Department of Higher Education and Training has undertaken comprehensive initiatives over the past years to implement sustainable and impactful systems, controls, infrastructure, and safety nets aimed at curbing the scourge of GBV within the PSET sector,” Minister Nzimande emphasized.
The summit underscored that educational institutions are integral components of the broader community, reflecting the society at large. This interconnectedness necessitates a holistic approach to combat the violence emanating from our surroundings.
Since the launch of the DHET GBV Policy Framework by the Minister Dr Blade Nzimande in 2020, Higher Health developed a GBV Technical Task team which is Chaired by Professor Lenka Bula. It has all the Branches of the DHET, National Policing Authority, members of South African Police Service, Medical Research Council, civil society, survivors, peer educators, Student Leadership (both in TVET Colleges and Universities), Principals of the TVET Colleges, as well as technical experts who are together as a multi-sectoral as we are a micro causal of the community.
The aim of the inclusive GBV Technical Task team is to work together in partnership. Higher Health has since then been putting systems, controls, capacity in the Post-School Education and Training on issues of Gender-Based Violence.
As part of our Women’s month celebration this month, the GBV Technical Task Team released four (4) new Protocols on GBV at Campuses.
These are:
• Protocol on Campus Safety and Security Minimum Standards;
• Protocol on Safety in Private Accommodation;
• Protocol on Safety in In-Campus Residences; and
• Protocol on Staff-Student Relationships.
These protocols focusses on building the capacity of staff at universities and colleges to implement a multi-faceted response to GBV with a strong emphasis on prevention.
The Minister also indicated that Higher Health is currently working with the National Prosecuting Authority in developing Protocols on Statement of Complaint, Whistleblowing and other legislature requirements for our system.
Higher Health also has a screening tool for staff to get Gender-Based Violence screening. In the last 3 years, 190 316 have been risk assessed for GBV; 18 994 have been considered as high risk for GBV; and 12 682 have been sent for GBV counselling.
Even though we have lost Nosicelo and Uyinene, we have saved so many lives. Many young people have opened up about their relationships and are seeking psychosocial and therapy interventions and support structures from Higher Health. The aim is to prevent a life from dying from toxic relationships and Higher Health’s screening tools help in identification and early stages and put in mechanisms in saving lives.
PLENARY SESSIONS AT THE SUMMIT
During the Plenary sessions, the attendees witnessed a confluence of powerful dialogues and insightful exchanges during its plenary sessions.
Distinguished voices from various fields engaged in discussions that aimed to dissect the heart of the issue and discover innovative solutions to address the root causes of violence against women. The summit’s mission to transform mentalities and effect positive change resonated throughout these dialogues.
The Summit served as a platform for open conversations, fostering collaboration among policymakers, survivors, and thought leaders. As these exchanges unfolded, the path to holistic transformation in addressing Gender-Based Violence within the Post-School Education and Training sector became clearer.
The echoes of these meaningful exchanges will undoubtedly reverberate, propelling us towards a future where mentalities of our men and boys are reshaped, higher learning institutions are safer, and positive change prevails.
A powerful exchange unfolded at the last session at Plenary 4 – Dialogue with a dynamic panel including Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities – Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, brave survivors Ms N Lechesa and Mr RTM Charles, and the courage of reforming perpetrator Mr S Mashilo.
Political decision-makers engaged in a profound conversation alongside survivors and even a reforming perpetrator, fostering a collective journey towards solutions. The heart of the matter was explored, aiming to transform MENtalities and confront the issue head-on.
THE WAY FORWARD
At the Summit’s conclusion, Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia, CEO of Higher Health, illuminated the way forward. He went on to highlight that, “The summit asked for developing more peer educators and champions across all our campuses, to work as change agents towards transforming MENtalities, more men dialogues across all institutions, incorporating gender studies including GBV, gender equality, gender diversity and transforming MENtalities as co-curriculum alongside the main curriculum in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector”.
At the end of the Summit, all the sector leaders were asked to pledge on the Declaration with the following 5 themes:
1. Challenge Harmful Gender Norms and Attitudes: We commit to challenging harmful and entrenched gender norms, damaging stereotypes and attitudes perpetuating inequality, discrimination, and violence against women and girls. We believe that traits such as domination, lack of emotion, and sexual aggression must be challenged. Public education is critical to enable us to make changes.
2. Embrace Responsible and Active Fatherhood and Caregiving: We embrace caregiving, parenting and equitable sharing of domestic work, household tasks and responsibilities at home. We will foster an environment in the home where children internalise the principles of gender equality and values of non-violence from an early age .
3. Consent. We will understand and practice consent, ensuring that all sexual activity we engage in will be between consenting adults.
4. Promote inclusive Education: We vow to oppose gender stereotypes within education, championing schools and educational spaces that cultivate inclusive, nurturing, and respectful learning environments for every student.
5. Collaborate and amplify: Our resolve is to collaborate with organisations, activists, and movements dedicated to gender equality. Harnessing collective strength is more likely to engender change.