Page 66 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

competitive process which mimic external grant
application processes, two staff members from
the research management band were selected
as successful candidates. As first-time PIs the two
emerging scientists were allocated mentors and
will use the projects to launch their PhD projects.

Our unit has used the co-development approach
to adopt and implement the development of
interventions in the two of our research projects this
year. These are experienced as empowering for the
participants involved in the process. The NV! flagship
project and Siyaphambili project worked with a group
of Black African lesbians, bisexual and queer women
students enrolled in HDI University campuses,
and with Young Peer Research Assistance (YPRAs)
recruited from the community to develop combined Ntombi Vimbela! flagship project researchers.
mental health and violence prevention intervention,
and an intervention to address the social contextual
factors that create syndemics of health risks for young As a member of the National Violence Prevention
people living in informal settlements. Forum (VPF), a multisectoral collaboration
promoting evidence-based violence prevention, the
Science for creating a GHRU also contributed to case study research to

healthier society evaluate the sustainability of the VPF to close gaps
between research, programmes and policy between
The GHRU participated in several research
translation activities, including translating our and among sectors working on violence prevention.
knowledge of femicide prevention into the The NV! team presented research findings on
Implementation Framework of the Integrated sexual violence prevention at higher education
National Femicide Prevention Strategy, international institutions at the inaugural National Mental Health
and national conference presentations, webinars, Conference convened by the Department of Health.
and presentation of research findings to key This work attracted extensive media coverage by
stakeholders such as the Department of Health, and news outlets, such as News24, Weekend Argus and
non-governmental organisations and community Cape Town, and formed part of the Women's Month
leaders. Moreover, the unit's multisectoral
collaborations have positioned us to continue commemorations in August 2023.
influencing the development, implementation and In celebration of 30 years of
monitoring of national policies relating to GBVF.
democracy in South Africa
As a member of the End GBVF Collective, the
unit supported the National Strategic Plan on As South Africa continues with its efforts to address the
Gender Based Violence and Femicide's research quadruple burden of disease, including interpersonal
and prevention pillars to achieve the Presidential violence, GBV research, GBV prevention, and
Summit 2022 Resolutions. As developers of the responses to assist survivors are critical. With the
Integrated National Femicide Prevention Strategy, research and prevention and response expertise the
GHRU was invited by the Department of Justice unit possesses, building on more than 30 years of
and Constitutional Development to contribute to experience conducting research and intervention
the development of the implementation framework development and evaluation, the GHRU is well
to articulate the approaches proposed for femicide positioned to lead the much-needed research
prevention nationally. and prevention and response work to address and

64 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24