Page 65 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Gender and Health
Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Naeemah Abrahams

Prioritising responsive research fuelled by gender norms, rape myths and victim-
through impactful interventions blaming attitudes. The research highlights the need
for improved post-rape care that considers the
The Gender and Health Research Unit (GHRU) psychological impacts of stigma.
continued contributing evidence to deepen global
understandings of the drivers of gender-based Our GBV intervention research has included studying
violence (GBV) including the impact of extreme the unit-developed intervention Ntombi Vimbela (NV!),
weather events, stigma and common mental which is a GBV intervention that has been developed
disorders and HIV/AIDS. We have advanced for use with women in higher education. We assessed
knowledge of GBV prevention, through co- the impact among female students in HDIs at one-
development and piloting of mental health and GBV year post-baseline and showed that NV! reduced
interventions with several different target groups. depressive symptoms and rape myth acceptance.

The unit's research exploring the gendered impacts Equitable capacity development
of the 2022 floods on gender relations, mental for empowering communities
health, and violence in Ethekwini showed that the
powerful floods caused considerable damage to GHRU staff participated in capacity development
housing, infrastructure, income, and loss of lives. initiatives including research skills building and
Women bore a greater burden than men of post- formal training courses. Research assistants were
flood recovery tasks and caring for families. Men's mentored and participated in research skills training
ability to fulfil traditional provider roles diminished for the full research process from design to writing an
due to job losses and damaged homes, leading to article. Vicarious trauma is commonly experienced
frustration and in some cases, increased violence by research staff who do gender-based violence
against partners. We found that women who were research. We recognise this risk and assist staff by
exposed to higher levels of pre-flood trauma and providing collective care and support to cope. In
had more food insecurity experienced higher levels this year, our Durban-based staff attended formal
of emotional distress. training completing a 9-week training course through
Lifeline on personal growth and emotional wellness.
We also conducted research with rape survivors Our senior staff are also supported in building
and extended our knowledge of rape stigma, management skills and Prof Yandisa Sikweyiya
which is an important driver of post-rape PTSD. The completed the Management Development
study showed that feelings of shame, self-blame, Programme through Stellenbosch University
and internalised stigma, are distinct, yet inter- Graduate School of Business. This year the unit for
connected. Internalised stigma was often driven the first time implemented the Competitive Seed
by enacted external stigma. Survivors experienced Funding Initiative (CSFI) aimed to empower junior
external stigma from family, community members and emerging scientists in grant writing, research
and service providers, with the degree depending project management, financial management,
on their relationship to the perpetrator. Stigma was and manuscript writing and publication. After a

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 63