As South Africa observes the annual 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children from 25 November – 10 December under the theme “Towards 30 years of the Beijing declaration and platform for action: unite to end violence against women”, it is an opportunity to reflect on the collective commitment to ending violence in all its forms.
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) recently marked a significant milestone in its violence prevention efforts by hosting the 20th Violence Prevention Forum (VPF) on 13 and 14 November 2024. Held at the Pretoria office of the Gender and Health Research Unit (GHRU), the forum celebrated nine years of biannual dialogue that has advanced evidence-based strategies to prevent violence across South Africa.
Dr. Nwabisa Shai, Director of the GHRU, co-convened this event with the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme of the Institute for Security Studies. The VPF’s innovative approach to dialogue flattens hierarchies and ensures equal participation from all sectors, including researchers, academics, community-based organisations (CBOs), international NGOs, government departments, development partners, and the private sector.
Guided by the values of empathy, active listening, collaboration, deep democracy and respect, the forum tackled this year’s theme: “What do we know now from research, policy, and practice about preventing violence?”
The discussions focused on integrating new insights to inform future interventions, emphasising the social and structural factors driving violence, such as gender inequality and food insecurity.
Dr. Shai, in her opening remarks, provided the framing for the 20th VPF dialogue, encouraging participants to reflect on the broader context in which violence prevention efforts take place.
The first day featured a compelling presentation by Prof. Yandisa Sikweyiya, who delved into the factors contributing to young men’s use of violence. His insights provided a roadmap for engaging young men as critical stakeholders in violence prevention interventions.
The second day highlighted research by Drs. Pinky Mahlangu and Mercilene Machisa on the prevalence and drivers of gender-based violence in higher education institutions. Their findings inspired the creation of Ntombi Vimbela!, a sexual violence prevention intervention designed to protect and empower women in these spaces.
The VPF stands out for its commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. It has become a cornerstone in the SAMRC’s efforts to promote evidence-based solutions to violence, reflecting the organisation’s dedication to improving health outcomes for all South Africans.
As the country observes the 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children, the SAMRC reaffirms its commitment to addressing violence in all its forms, leveraging research, innovation, and partnerships to create safer communities.
For more information about the SAMRC’s ongoing initiatives, visit www.samrc.ac.za.