EAST LONDON- The University of Fort Hare(UFH) officially opened its new Gender-Based Violence(GBV) prevention and Support unit office at the East London Campus on 31st July 2025.
This milestone marks a significant step in the university’s commitment to creating safer and more supportive environments for its students and staff.
According to director of the GBV Unit Nonhlanhla Moyo, delivered a powerful message at the launch emphasizing the importance of addressing GBV. “We should not need to be opening this office not in 2025, not on a university campus, not anywhere,” she said.
Research presented by Dr. Belinda Banda revealed that stigma, fear of retaliation and lack of institutional support remain key barriers to reporting GBV incidents.
Furthermore, UFH Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu emphasized the need for collective action stating, “When it comes to GBV there is no single leader or supreme person who will win this fight alone. Leadership is any one of us who is willing to step up to the challenge.”
The new GBV Unit office in East London will provide direct support to survivors, assist with case reporting and offer preventative education, reflecting UFH’s effort to reclaim university spaces as places of dignity, safety, and justice for all.
Photographs: UFH
