During his keynote address at the Anti-Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Assembly held at the University of Cape Town, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Buti Manamela emphasised the need to confront and address the issue of gender-based violence and femicide both within and outside the confines of university campuses.
Manamela urged higher education institutions to make a resolute commitment to eradicating these deeply rooted problems that persist within their grounds.
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The assembly was convened in remembrance of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a young woman whose life was taken in August 2019 while collecting a package at the Claremont post office in Cape Town.
The perpetrator, Luyanda Botha, an employee of the post office, received three life sentences in November 2019.
Uyinene’s death sparked widespread protests across the nation, prompting her family to establish the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation. This foundation’s mission is to foster responsible and compassionate young men, forming a crucial strategy in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.
According to News24, Manamela highlighted that this event was part of the government’s broader efforts to eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide within the post-school education and training sector. The assembly’s primary objective was to address the pressing challenges and needs faced by students who have been impacted by these issues.
In his address, Manamela said, ‘We convened this assembly with the university, SRC and higher health to commemorate and remember the lives of Uyinene and many other young women who are victims of gender-based violence and femicide on our campuses.’
He detailed the steps taken by the higher education department to combat this issue, including the introduction of policies and protocols, collaboration with law enforcement and extensive dialogues with universities.
The department has also insisted that all universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and community colleges adhere to the established guidelines, which have been made public.
Manamela acknowledged that the assembly signified a shifting awareness of gender-related issues, providing victims with a safe platform to voice their experiences.
He remarked, ‘In the past, perpetrators knew they were safe. It was acceptable, and no one would question their actions, especially if they were in a position of power. Gender-based violence and femicide are about power. It’s about the exercise of power over an individual. That’s where it starts.’
In closing, Manamela emphasised the importance of altering perceptions surrounding gender roles among students, underscoring the critical need for change in order to create safer and more equitable learning environments.
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Picture: Buti Manamela / Facebook