South Africa faces a sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) emergency. One in five women in the country is affected by the scourge of SGBV, and between April and June this year, a staggering 11 500 cases of sexual abuse were reported to authorities.
These alarming numbers sprouted the idea for a GBV conference and members of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP) chapter jumped into action. The event was held on Saturday, 19 October, and was arranged to raise awareness on the scourge, provide a safe space for conversation and establish a set of guidelines on how students affected by SGBV should seek help. It was made possible by UCT’s Careers Service, the Department of Student Affairs and the Leadership Academy.