With a resolute commitment to combating the pervasive scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) plaguing South Africa, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, is set to spearhead a groundbreaking initiative at the inaugural Post-school Education and Training in South Africa (PSET) Transforming Mentalities Summit on August 29, 2023.
A prevailing concern that has cast a dark shadow over the nation’s social fabric, GBV continues to threaten the lives and dignity of countless women. Disturbingly, recent data unveils that South African women confront a startling lifetime risk of experiencing GBV, standing at an alarming 45.6%, eclipsing the global average of 35% (WHO 2013). Among the most distressing manifestations of this violence are sexual gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, disproportionately affecting young women aged 16 to 25, a group that remains particularly vulnerable.
The summit stands as a testament to collaborative efforts between the esteemed Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and HIGHER HEALTH, bringing together diverse stakeholders in a united front against GBV. This milestone event is set to revolve around the pivotal PSET GBV Policy Framework, which was launched back in 2020 by none other than Minister Blade Nzimande. The framework underscores three core imperatives that serve as the bedrock for transforming the current narrative:
| Key Objectives of the PSET GBV Policy Framework |
|---|
| 1. Create an enabling environment that actively informs, prevents, supports, and monitors GBV within PSET institutions. |
| 2. Foster the safety and security of students and staff by initiating comprehensive awareness and prevention initiatives aimed at disseminating information about policies and services addressing GBV. |
| 3. Implement robust supportive and reparative mechanisms for complainants and survivors of GBV, thus providing them with the resources and assistance they need. |
Central to the Transforming Mentalities Summit is UNESCO’s far-reaching Transforming Mentalities Initiative, which found its origins in Latin America and the Caribbean back in 2015 and has since proliferated across the global landscape. In what promises to be a riveting exchange of ideas, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will join forces with Dr. Blade Nzimande, the esteemed Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation. This dynamic duo will be accompanied by two valiant survivors of GBV, a reformed perpetrator who has turned a new leaf, and a representative hailing from civil society. Collectively, they are poised to steer discussions that carry the power to shape and reshape societal attitudes towards GBV.
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
- Venue: Birchwood Conference Centre
- Time: 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
The Transforming Mentalities Summit arrives at a crucial juncture in South Africa’s ongoing battle against GBV, signifying a resolute stance towards dismantling deeply ingrained societal norms that perpetuate violence. Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s pivotal role is emblematic of the government’s commitment to effecting genuine, tangible change by fostering awareness, reshaping attitudes, and implementing concrete solutions.
As the nation converges at the Birchwood Conference Centre, it is evident that the Transforming Mentalities Summit is far more than a mere event. It’s a rallying cry, a call to arms against GBV, and a beacon of hope for a brighter, safer future. The conversations that will unfold within its walls carry the potential to reshape narratives, shatter stereotypes, and ignite a transformative movement that will echo far beyond the confines of the venue.
