UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO
Gender Desk
WHO ARE WE?
Gender Desk is a staff and students support unit responsible for coordinating programs, workshops, training sessions, awareness campaigns, research projects, and policy development initiatives and activities designed and intended to address gender inequalities, gender-based discrimination, and thereby fostering gender equality and equity and inclusive campus environment for all genders.
Gender Desk was established in 2021 to render programmes and services that prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harassment on campus to staff and students, and support survivors and perpetrators of GBV through Policy development and implementation, Committees and psychosocial support.
VISION AND MISSION
Vision
Facilitate promotion of gender equality and equity in all operations and activities of the University.
Mission
To create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for staff and students, while preventing and responding to gender-based violence and discrimination through advocacy and education across the campus and its neighbourhood.
STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Gender Desk finds its significance in two (2) of the eight goals set by the University, as follows:
- Goal 4: Strengthen the role of community engagement as a core function of the University.
- Strategic objective 4.2: Introduce free online courses for the youth.
- Goal 7: Enhance the level of governance and administration within the
- Strategic objective 7.2: Create a safe and conducive environment for excellence.
GENDER DESK PARTNERSHIPS
Campus Safety and security
Campus control receives cases mostly at night and on weekends, then refer them to Gender Desk, it also investigates and track cases together with Gender Desk.
South African Police Service
Gender Desk work in collaboration with SAPS in handling rape and other GBV cases that requires legal process. Mankweng police station has assigned an officer who deals specifically with University of Limpopo cases.
Reakgona Disability Centre
The disability centre assist in reporting and referring cases involving disabled students.
Residence and Administration
It assists in reporting and intervening on cases that occur at the university residences and collaborate with Gender Desk on GBV awareness residence outreach.
Health and Welness Centre
Gender Desk refer victims who require medical help to Health and Wellness centre, also the centre refer students who seeks medical attention as a result of GBV to Gender Desk.
Thuthuzela Care Centre
Is a one-stop facility for anti-rape, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to build a case ready for prosecution. Gender Desk refer all university rape victims for immediate help within 72 hours.
Student Counselling and Development
Gender Desk refer students who require psychological attention to the centre , also the centre refer students who are faced with mental health issues resulting from GBV to Gender Desk
SERVICES RENDERED
The Gender Desk offers its service to all staff and students at the University. The following services are provided:
- Receive and respond to GBV cases and complains to investigate and/or seek resolutions to allegations of unfair gender discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual offences.
- Track all Gender-Based Violence (GBV) reported cases – related complaints across the university and analyses the cases and trends to inform and improve intervention initiatives.
- Provide a safe and confidential space to complainants, victims, survivors and perpetrators of GBV to report cases and share information about incidents and provide them with full-time counselling support.
- Confidentially advises complainants and victims of GBV on case procedures and support services.
- Emergency response through Student Health and wellness, such as HIV testing, Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Pregnancy Test, Morning after pill, Treatment for Sexually Transmitted disease (STI) and treatment of other physical injuries.
- Referral to Center for Student Counseling and development and Social Worker for Trauma Care and psychosocial support.
- Oversees an independent disciplinary procedure for formal complaints against staff or students accused of GBV.
- Engage actively in advocacy and educational programmes around gender equality for UL and the wider community.
- Support staff and students’ organisations that deal with gender-related matters with  promotional materials, catering and other logistics.
POLICIES RELATED TO GENDER AND GENDER BASED HARM
The following policies were developed and are implemented on campus:
- Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure 2011 (Revised as Policy and Procedure for the prevention and elimination of harassment – pending approval)
- Code of Ethics for GBV Prevention 2023
- Protocol on the management of GBV 2023
HOW TO REPORT CASES
- If any member of the campus community suspects that someone has been sexually assaulted, they must report the incident or refer the victim to the Gender Desk Office.
- A person who has been sexually assaulted can report the incident directly to the Gender Desk Office.
- Any sexual assault must be reported to the Gender Desk Office, The Office is located at the TV White Space Centre.
- All incidents must be reported within 72 hours due to the need for immediate medical attention, including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIY, sexually transmitted infection, and post-coital contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Events
Seminar
- Staff LGBTQIA+ Seminar
- Engaging men in gender-based violence dialogue
Conferences
- Attending and hosting community of practitioner (COP) conferences in collaboration with universities.
Workshops
- Orientation of 1st-year students
- GBV and Sexual harassment workshops conducted for staff members and students
- UL Staff induction programme (Newly employed)
- Strategic Planning Workshop with Gender Desk Technical committee members
- Debriefing session for UL GBV Ambassadors
Activities
Training
- First responder training programme for GBV ambassadors
Community Outreach
- 16 days of activism against GBV – Community engagement
- Free online GBV workshop for youth in the community.
Campaigns
- National Women’s Day
- Gender Desk ambassadors GBV roadshow awareness campaign
STAFF
STAFF MEMBERS COMMITTEES
Gender Equity Advisory Committee (GEAC)
Aims to provide oversight and improve gender equity within the University community to actively encourage full and equal participation in campus life, especially the marginalised groups.
The responsibilities GEAC’ s are:
- Provide advocacy and monitoring for gender equity within the University community and beyond,
- Provide feedback and advice to the Executive Management Committee on gender equity implications of its policies, plans, and services.
- Contribute to promoting collaborations between the Executive Management Committee and other external stakeholders that support and promote gender equity and the prevention of Gender-Based Violence
Gender Desk Technical Committee (GDTC
The purpose of GDTC is Planning, Coordination, Implementation and Supporting of Gender Desk activities.
GDTC is responsible for the following:
- Report to the Gender Equity Advisory Committee through Gender Desk;
- Participate in and/or facilitate institutional gender analysis and gender audits.
- Facilitate development, implementation as well as review of gender and GBV policies.
- Ensure existence of an elaborate and institutionalised gender inclusivity implementation structure.
- Oversee sensitization and training of all staff on gender inclusivity.
- Review of all institutional policies for gender responsiveness.
- Ensure that the Committee is represented in relevant institutional committees to ensure gender responsiveness.
GBV Ambassadors for UL
The purpose of GBV Ambassadors is to act as a first responder to survivors and perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and coordinate Gender-related activities.
The responsibilities of GBV Ambassadors are as follows:
- To act as a first responder to victims of gender-based Violence.
- Work closely in the UL community and identify GBV cases.
- Raising awareness on GBV matters and conducting dialogues.
- To render Gender orientated support services to students and staff.
- Work closely with GBV coordinators in the Gender Desk.
- To compile monthly reports of all GBV-related matters within the Division
STUDENTS COMMITTEES
Gender Desk Champions
To act as a first responder to survivors and perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and coordinate Gender-related activities.
Responsibilities of Gender Desk Champions:
- Speak up and be a whistle-blower for GBV, Sexual harassment, harassment which include bullying.
- Be an advocate for GBV and gender-related issues in the university
CONTACT DETAILS
Working hours
Monday-Friday: (7:30-16:00)
Gender Desk Officer:
Tel: 015 268 4164/ 4087, Speed dial 6101
Email: gender.office@ul.ac.za
Emergency
Campus Safety and Security (Control):
Tel: 015 268 2823/ 2498/ 2454
Venue
The Gender Desk Office is located at the TV White Space Centre, Behind the New Earth Science Building.