The Office of the Dean of Students facilitated an online gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) awareness campaign on 24 March 2026, attended by Unisa students in their numbers.

GBVF remains a critical issue within South African higher education institutions, necessitating urgent attention and robust intervention strategies. The prevalence of GBVF and femicide has become a detrimental facet affecting student safety, academic performance and overall well-being. Moreover, the Department of Higher Education and Training emphasises that successful GBVF programmes must be evidence-informed and contextually relevant. They must ensure they engage students meaningfully and foster a safer, more inclusive environment that empowers them to confront and challenge harmful societal norms.

Due to the prevalence of GBVF among university students in South Africa, higher education institutions are critical battlegrounds in addressing this widespread issue. The impact of GBVF on university students extends beyond immediate physical harm, eroding their mental health, academic performance and overall campus experience, thereby necessitating comprehensive awareness campaigns tailored to transform university environments into safer spaces. Within the above context, the Dean of Students' office is mandated to address GBVF at the university. 

In alignment with co-curricular objectives, the university’s awareness campaigns aim to address these issues through education and community engagement, fostering resilience and a supportive environment. Ultimately, tackling these issues is essential for creating a safer academic climate and promoting the well-being of all students.

The programme was well attended on MS Teams and YouTube, and Tebogo Mangope, Manager of Student Social Development, served as the programme director. Lizette le Roux, Deputy Director of Student Development, welcomed students and set the scene by discussing the carefully designed guidelines and objectives. S’phiwokuhle Mathebula, Counselling Psychologist from Higher Health, presented on evidence-informed awareness, which included the following topics:

• Socio-historical context of gender violence and its consequences
• What is gender-based violence?
• Intimate partner violence
• Contributing factors and consequences of gender-based violence and femicide
• Gender-based violence response plans and strategies start with us in our institutions

Pintias Nkuna, Student Health and Wellness Practitioner, assisted students online and gave the vote of thanks. Richard Wright and David Harpestad created the ADOVH LMS site for the campaign and students to engage with the material at their convenience. GBVF Awareness Campaign brochures were also posted on the site in all the country’s official languages.

Given that GBVF is a pervasive issue in South African higher education, the awareness programme was inclusive and sensitive to students' diverse backgrounds. The engagement included male and female students, and students from the LGBTQIA community. This is essential for preventing GBVF at the university.   

Ultimately, the successful awareness campaign implementation elevated awareness of gender-based violence and femicide, but also created a supportive campus culture that prioritises the safety and well-being of all students. The awareness campaign serves not only to educate students about the prevalence and implications of GBVF, but also to foster a campus culture that prioritises safety and respect.

* Submitted by the Office of the Dean of Students