The University stands firmly and unapologetically with the women and girls of the institution, the province of Mpumalanga, and the country as a whole.
Dr Nokubonga Mazibuko, Chairperson of the UMP Gender Forum and Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies, stressed the importance of recognising GBVF as a national disaster and called for strengthened reporting channels and support within the University.
“Today, we stand in solidarity with women, gender non-conforming individuals, and men who are victims of violence. We aim to raise awareness among our community and challenge each of us to do better,” she stated.
GBVF is not only a social ill, but a violation of human rights, a direct attack on dignity, and a barrier to the freedoms promised by South Africa’s democracy. As an institution of higher learning rooted in transformation, UMP refuses to be silent in the face of this national emergency.
The University joins millions of South Africans, together with Government, civil society, and the UN, in condemning the systemic violence directed at women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ persons. It further affirms its solidarity with the Purple Campaign, championed by Women for Change, as part of a collective call to challenge harmful norms, amplify the voices of survivors, and demand accountability at every level of society.
Creating Safe Spaces
Through the Creating Safe Spaces initiative and broader institutional programmes, UMP works closely with key stakeholders to promote gender equality, intensifying its activism and expanding partnerships to address the root causes of GBVF.
The University is committed to:
- Advancing gender justice and equality across its campuses.
- Strengthening reporting systems and supporting survivors with compassion and dignity.
- Advocating for a justice system that protects rather than retraumatises survivors.
- Implementing evidence-based prevention and education initiatives that challenge patriarchy and harmful masculinities.
- Mobilising men and boys as allies in building a safer and more equitable society.
GBVF is not an isolated crisis; it is embedded in the social fabric of communities. Its eradication requires collective courage, decisive action, and sustained advocacy. Staff and students confront this reality daily, within and beyond the university environment.
For this reason, UMP renews its commitment to being an activist institution that confronts violence, supports survivors, and actively works to advance social change.
The University calls on every member of its community to stand up, speak out, and act. Silence protects perpetrators.
Action Protects Lives
Dr Mazibuko further reminded the UMP community of the need to recognise GBVF as a national disaster and to strengthen reporting channels and support mechanisms within the University.
She noted that South Africa loses an estimated 15 women every day to femicide, often at the hands of people they know.
“We are here to conscientise our community and to challenge all of us to do better and recognise that GBVF is a national disaster and call for strengthened reporting channels and support within the University,” she said.
Story and picture by Cleopatra Makhaga. Copyright © UMP.