During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked increase in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) reported in South Africa, including at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The damaging emotional and psychological effect of Gender-Based Violence can negatively affect students’ lives in many ways, including their academic performance and the quality of their social interactions. It can also result in students needing to take a leave of absence from their studies or even dropping out of university. If unsupported, students can carry this trauma beyond their studies.

At UCT, our Gender-Based Violence response and support takes various forms. It can be:

  • a survivor care pack – which affords a survivor dignity post-trauma;
  • or it may be an Uber to Court;
  • emergency evacuation and temporary placement in accommodation while permanent accommodation is located;
  • human support during justice-seeking processes and psychological services.

Pledge your support today

If you live outside of South Africa and would like to claim tax relief for your donation, you can do so in the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, and Australia.

Join hands with UCT in support of student survivors of GBV.

Donations towards Gender Based Violence are dedicated to the wellbeing of the survivor and their healing journey. Our target is to extend counselling sessions to reach 180 student survivors of GBV. This equates to R1 million over the next 3 years.

Together, we are UCT.  A donation of R5,120 will provide 8 counselling sessions for 1 survivor. R25,600 will provide 40 sessions for 5 survivors. R200,000 will provide 333 counselling sessions for 42 survivors.

UCT DAY 2023 - The Anti Gender-Based Violence Programmes