The North-West University (NWU), in collaboration with other stakeholders, recently signed up for the End GBVF 100-Day Challenges, an initiative of the GBVF Collective, which aims to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by involving various organisations and stakeholders in a structured and actionable approach.

These stakeholders include the World of Impact Organisation South Africa, the Sedibeng District Municipality, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Higher Health, the Department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the Department of Justice.

To start off participation in the challenge, a Leadership Design Kick-off workshop was recently held at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

"This initiative represents a collective effort to combat these societal challenges and bring about meaningful change in communities,” says Ujeet Maharaj, head of Student Discipline and a prosecutor at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

He explains that the 100-Day Challenges focus on impact, innovation, collaboration and implementation, and that each challenge aims to significantly improve one or more of six pillars:

PILLAR 1: Accountability, coordination and leadership

PILLAR 2: Prevention and rebuilding social cohesion

PILLAR 3: Justice, safety and protection

PILLAR 4: Response, care, support and healing

PILLAR 5: Economic power

PILLAR 6: Research and information management

“The NWU and its collaborators will be concentrating on Pillar Three,” says Ujeet, adding that the main goals of the workshop were to discuss current plans, establish the 100-Day Goal, and to determine the next steps, such as creating a team structure and preparing for the team launch.

The workshop also included collaborating with mentors to develop the Challenge Note, engaging with ambassadors, working with leadership and team coaches to finalise team membership, and gathering baseline information through data leads.

"Our team will prioritise improving the quality of resolution of various types of GBVF-related court cases, promoting prevention in the workplace and schools, and focusing on integrated crisis response and post-crisis integrated care," Ujeet explains.

Dumisile Moyana, a representative from the World of Impact Organisation, says the workshop marked the start of an important journey in combatting GBVF. “The collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders demonstrate a promising commitment to addressing this critical issue. The World of Impact and its partners are setting a valuable example by proactively taking steps to tackle GBVF, thereby creating a safer and more equitable environment for all.”

She adds that the outcomes of the workshop and the subsequent actions are expected to have a positive impact on the community and contribute to broader efforts to combat GBVF.

The NWU is joining forces with various stakeholders to combat gender-based violence and femicide.