Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University statement on gender-based violence
Author: Corporate Communication/ Korporatiewe Kommunikasie
Published: 04/05/2018

Stellenbosch University (SU) joins Universities South Africa (USAf) and all other higher education institutions (HEIs) in the outrage at the general and gender violence in our country, communities and on our campuses.  USAf has issued a statement condemning the murder of a female student in what appears to have been gender-based violence at one of its member institutions this week.

Our higher education spaces are a microcosm of our broader society, with the brutality and violence that are part of social relationships, spilling over into student communities. SU is deeply aware of our role to equip our students to recognise and act against gender violence.

Our student support and development initiatives are geared towards making our students agents of change – not only so that we equip students to recognise abuse of power, gender violence and manifestations of rape culture, but also so that they can act on the structures and systems in our society that keep these ​entrenched.

SU's strategic positioning is anchored in creating and sustaining an environment of inclusivity, transformation, innovation and diversity, and maintaining excellence with a focus on the future. One of the challenges is to remove inequalities and discrimination from our higher education system and to strengthen human rights and democracy on our campuses. Please familiarise yourself with the Policy on Unfair Discrimination and Harassment

We are rolling out an ambitious training and awareness programme that will equip all students and staff with competencies to act on and change the practices, attitudes and beliefs on Rape Culture and gender violence embedded in our society.

We join Mangosuthu University of Technology in their grief around this incident and join hands with all HEIs in South Africa in making a difference.
 
Kind regards
Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel
Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching