The UKZN Howard College theatre was packed as students, lecturers and members of the public met for the 365 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV) discussion held today.
Dr. Gabi Mkhize a lecturer and researcher in the School of Social Sciences at UKZN said GBV can no longer be ignored or tolerated and that we all had the responsibility to come forward and play our part in the fight against GBV which she referred to as a pandemic.
Mkhize is also a board member for the Advice Desk for the Abused, and she encouraged not only students but lectures who had been abused to utilize the organization by seeking help there if they have an issue.
“We want anyone, whether you’re a female, male or part of the LGBTQ community especially in the university to speak up and seek help if you are being abused,” she said.
She also mentioned the need for a change in mindsets especially for people who still think anything outside of the norm is wrong.
Dr. Lubna Nadvi said she had ideas that she optimistically thought would help decrease GBV.
She said children must be taught from a young age to not touch people in places where they do not want to be touched.
“Introducing this from an early stage will change a lot because people will grow up knowing that they can’t just do as they please,” she said.
She also said more community projects would help in educating more people about GBV.
Nadvi said self-defense was also very important saying, “I hold my keys in a way that if someone attacked me I would poke them in the eye,” she said.
She also called for more government participation saying she felt that the government had a role to play in fighting GBV but felt that it was also the responsibility of the people to come forward and fight.
Advocate Omashanie Naidoo said the South African law was playing its part by creating stronger legislation’s to fight GBV but that the law could only take its course if people reported the cases.
“If you are abused report it, make use of the Thuthuzela Care Centre’s available all over the country, do not be quiet,” she said.
The day’s discussion was an effort to prevent the conversations around GBV from dying when women’s month ends.
“Our activism must be every day of the year not just during women’s month or over the 16 days of activism against women and children, the fight must continue beyond that,’ said Nadvi.
Thandeka Ndaba a social studies student said men should also be involved in discussions around GBV so that solutions could be found collectively.