Wearing a touch of purple, they demonstrated their support for victims of GBV and raised awareness of this social ill which affects so many South Africans.
About 400 trees across campuses were also wrapped in purple to create awareness of the campaign.
“The protest is one of the events planned for Women’s Month. Almost on a daily basis we hear about women being raped, beaten and killed. According to reports, 10 percent of all reported rape cases happened at institutions of higher learning and one woman is killed by her intimate partner every eight hours,” said Melanie Marais, Head of HIV/Aids Unit.
“We believe that GBV is a behavioural problem and it is within everyone’s power to stop GBV on campus and in society. Women are disproportionately affected by GBV. As an institution of higher learning, we cannot turn a blind eye. Our main message is that those affected by GBV should speak out and not give alleged perpetrators power, whether it happens at home or on campus.”
Championed by the HIV/Aids Unit, the event was a partnership between Student Affairs and the Institutional Transformation Unit.
Last year the university launched its Institutional Position Statement on Gender-Based Violence.
