The University of Mpumalanga hosted an informative and insightful webinar under the topic: Heteropatriarchy: The root of Gender-based Violence. The thought provoking discussion was well attended and warmly received by staff and students.
The webinar was facilitated by senior lecturer of the School of Development Studies and Chairperson of the UMP Gender Forum, Dr Nonzwakazi Maqubela and a series of panellists who all dug deep into the root cause of this type of violence.
Unpacking the topic, Dr Maqubela said heteropatriarchy is a cultural belief system that assumes that people fall into two distinct and complementary sexes and genders and that heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation. It is also behaviours that conform to typical cultural male or female gender roles and expectations.
“It has been decades singing the same song, campaigning, protesting, signing petitions and all. But GBV continues to intensify and to pervade our spaces. For this reason, we have decided pause and go back to the drawing board to interrogate the possible root of GBV.
“Hence the theme for this year is Heteropatriarchy: The Root of Gender-based Violence. We are challenging, deconstructing, destabilising, disturbing and dismantling heteropatriarchy, heterosexuality and the heteronormative nature of the social order.”
Speaking about the real causes of gender-based violence was University of Venda lecturer Mr Rofiwa Memasisi. He said that GBV was a global scourge affecting all age groups.
“The effects of GBV lie towards inequality between male and female, mostly male dominance which is common all over the world. This pandemic is crippling our economy, society and the development of most communities,” he said.
Memasisi further said that the above mentioned puts more emphasis on specialisation processes, cultural practices, patriarchy and the theory of masculinities which are part of the influencers and contributory factors towards the GBV outbreak.
“When a baby boy is born there is societal expectation that that baby boy will grow up and be great, take control, be hard and be dominant. On the other hand, a baby girl is being socialised to be submissive and fearful. Under socialization processes boys are sent to initiations schools were they’re thought to be men and that they are supposed to be in control and not to be submissive, which is could be the root of GBV.
“Most of the GBV offenders grew up exposed to violence, have been seriously abused or have been neglected by their fathers. Cultural practices such as lobola also contribute to GBV. When someone pays lobola he believes that she is his property and can do whatever he wants to her.”
Psychologist Mr Innocent Baloyi said the most common psychological damage is trauma, in the form of Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, self-blame or guilt, flashbacks and nightmares, irritability and loss of concentration.
“GBV victims are likely to suffer from depression as well as anxiety disorders such as phobias and panic disorders or could be faced with a battered woman syndrome which happens when a woman has been abused for so long and she feel like it's useless to leave the situation.”
Baloyi added that breaking gender stigmas and stereotypes is important in terms of primary interventions.
“It is the responsibility of every individual to create an awareness when it comes to abuse of women and children as well as GBV. Educating men not to force their superiority onto women, early interventions for victims of childhood abuse, giving both males and females psychotherapy and psychosocial support," he said.
Speaking on heteropatriarchy as the root of Gender-based Violence, specifically in the cases of gender non-confirming, Dr Brand Doubell said heteropatriarchy is a system that stands against genderqueer people firstly because of the weirdness, secondly because they are neither male nor female.
“Heteropatriarchy means male maleness and feminine femaleness so the idea is that gender queerness stand against standard family values which is not the case. Because the two groups cannot stand each other that’s where the violence comes from.”
“It is when you separate yourself by nationality, beliefs, tradition or race that it breeds violence. A man who is not seeking to bring violence does not belong to any country, any religion or any political party but is the consent of the total understanding of mankind.”
He further said: “This tells us that we shouldn't divide ourselves when we talk about violence, for instance by saying, ‘I am a gay guy’ – you are separating yourself from the heterosexual people and other genders that are not known. The more we create groups, the more we breed violence.”
Closing the webinar, UMP student leader, Vuyelwa Carol Magagula said universities offer a positive and empowering environment that enriches students’ lives.
“But for those who experience sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking, it can be damaging. GBV disrupts students’ lives and potentially results in lower grades, dropped classes or withdrawal from the institution. Institutions of higher education have been under increasing pressure to effectively respond to and prevent GBV on their campuses.”
@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.