Thabo Mohlala
UCT Adopts Kwanele in the Fight Against GBV in South Africa
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has become the latest higher education institution to adopt Kwanele, an App to combat the rising scourge of gender-based violence (GBV in south Africa) at various university campuses across the country’s 26 public universities and 50 TVET colleges.
Safety of Female Students
The need for increased safety of female students on campus had been highlighted over the past few years after some of them were brutally murdered by their male partners. The list of slain female students includes, among others, Uyinene Mrwetyana, a student at UCT, Precious Ramabulana who was studying at Capricorn TVET College in Limpopo, two University of KwaZulu-Natal students, Sinethemba Ndlovu and Simukelo Zondi and Jesse Hess, a student at the University of the Western Cape.
Kwanele a Survivor Focused App
The App is survivor-centric and its strength lies in its ability to allow GBV incidents to be reported anonymously and without fear of persecution, shaming or other barriers that often deter survivors from coming forward, explained Ann Isaac, legal manager of UCT’s special tribunal which deals with formal disciplinary processes regarding sexual misconduct
“A lot of people don’t understand what survivor-centred means. What it does is help take a victim through the system minimising re-victimisation as much as we can.” Isaac said, adding that UCT is the first higher education institution to synergise a process dealing with sexual misconduct for both staff and students.
Especially Designed to Counteract Stigmation
Kwanele is especially designed to counteract the stigma associated with reporting GBV by harnessing the power of technology. Its platform is not exclusive to women as it offers other means for anyone to report incidents without bias. The App’s unique features include the potential to collect valuable data and provide training on various aspects of GBV, including consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention.
These elements enhance the App’s capacity to contribute towards the prevention of GBV in South Africa and the promotion of a culture of respect and accountability. In addition, it is able to collect reliable data needed to track and address trends around GBV in South Africa. This is critical, particularly in terms of understanding the scope of the problem, identifying hotspots and tailoring interventions.
The primary focus of Kwanele is university students although the broader community can also benefit from it. By providing a dedicated platform for reporting and addressing of incidents GBV in South Africa, it aims to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment. Another distinctive aspect of the App is the importance of obtaining consent for data use. Users will have control over their information, sharing it only if they choose to do so. This emphasis on consent underscores the commitment to respecting survivor agency and privacy.
UCT’s Annual GBV Report
UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor for transformation, student affairs and social responsiveness, Professor Elelwani Ramugondo said: “Kwanele didn’t just come up with an App without thinking carefully about who it serves. Those who are meant to use the service were consulted.” In its annual Gender Based Violence Report, tabled at council in 2021, UCT highlighted the fact that GBV in South Africa remains a profound challenge.
Sharing the report, former vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, said although the report paints a disturbing picture about the increase in cases of GBV in South Africa in 2021, “it also noted an encouraging increase in the use of helpful tools and services available at UCT. More than 200 students accessed these during 2021 for a range of incidents and concerns,” she said.
The Report also provided valuable information on sexual and GBV incidences within the UCT community and where it occurs. “Using empirical data, we can target proactive prevention and response mechanisms to address the challenges, not only in how we behave towards one another, but also in how the institution responds to this crime on our campus,” the report stated.
Growing trend of Techno Importance
The deployment of technology by various educational and government institutions to address social and other challenges are gaining momentum, showing the growing impact of digital technology and the need to embrace and tap into its efficacy. Last year, a Special Investigating Unit and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-ordinate efforts and enhance the use of technology to fight corruption. CSIR will use its vast technological expertise to help build the Unit’s capabilities to leverage digital technology and make it part of its toolkit.
