GBV Unit empowers students with self defence techniques

As we enter the second week of Women’s Month, the UFH GBV Prevention Unit held its #Colourtheworld White campaign against violence to women and girls.

The highlight of the event were the self defence techniques demonstrated by the Karate Society.

Students, mostly male, attended the session held at the Miriam Makeba Arts Centre (East London Campus) where they showed full participation.

The campaign is an educational awareness programme that started earlier this year and will run throughout the year, ending with the 16 days of activism against GBV in November.

It focuses on a different colour each month for the nine months of its duration with each colour representing different vulnerable groups.

Dr Rianna Oelofsen, Philosophy Department Head and GBV Prevention Unit Director said they are concerned with regards to what is happening around them, especially when it comes to young women and girls.

She said the importance of inviting the karate society was to equip female students with basic self defence skills in order for them to protect themselves. “If you can protect yourself then you might just be able to avoid becoming a statistic. We don’t want any of you to become a statistic.”

The campaigns coordinator, Tyrone Parks urged the students to attend and participate in these campaigned as they are meant to assist them. “It is pleasing to see an active participation from our male students. Please encourage other men to come to the GBV unit activities. We are not only a unit that focuses only on women but men as well.”