"Taking on Violence Against Women: The Arts in Action"

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Arts and Cultures

Abstract

South Africa (SA) has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in the world: a woman is murdered every three-hours, and gendered assault is 5x higher than the global average (STATS-SA 2019). GBV is recognised not only as a serious violation of human rights, but also as a significant public health concern that includes injuries, gynaecological disorders, mental health disorders (including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder), adverse pregnancy outcomes, and sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. GBV is also a barrier to social and economic development, rendering many survivors unable to work or otherwise move freely in society.
On 9/11/2019, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed GBV a national crisis, promising government debate to revise domestic violence laws and to initiate a national intervention plan that challenges patriarchal norms and engages at community levels. This project comes in response to his call, introducing arts-based interventions to provide support to GBV survivors, shift societal norms by promoting gender equality and behavioural change, strengthen law enforcement, improve economic power of women and take steps to enhance GBV legal and policy frameworks.
It is the first primary preventative and support strategy for GBV in rural Eastern Cape, with actions taking place in the AmaZizi chiefdom, which, located within the AbaThembu Kingdom, Eastern Cape, comprises nine villages: kwaZangashe, Ngcobo, Ngqamakwe, Ugie, Elliot, Maclear, Cala, Idutywa and Gcuwa. Arts-based actions planned will help improve response services for survivors through capacity-building workshops, support communities to re-evaluate the social norms that lead to GBV through art exhibits and festival, strengthen legal and policy frameworks by facilitating evidence-base reform and amendments to current policies and providing training to local law enforcement, and improve the economic power of women through arts-based entrepreneurial training. Although AmaZizi is the target population, this project will serve as a test-bed for building support for wider GBV policy changes across South Africa, particularly in rural regions, and informing future prevention efforts globally.
This project is led by ethnomusicologist and anthropologist Nanette de Jong (Newcastle University), who has worked extensively in South Africa for 15 years and is an expert on gender, culture and community, having carried out interventions that mitigate contextual influences on HIV/AIDS and GBV. The Co-I is AmaZizi traditional leader, Chief Pokwana ka Menziwa, who also serves as chairperson of the NGO, Vusizwe Foundation, chairperson of South African Society of Archivists, Head of Research and Development with Oral Historical Association of South Africa, Advisory Board member of the Department of Arts and Culture and member of African Diaspora Forum. Partners include Dutwya Law Enforcement, Department of Social Development, Department of Arts and Culture, AIDS Alliance, as well as Eastern Cape-based NGOs Impendulo Foundation, Theatre for Life and Ngcobo-Zintombizodwa, which work with GBV survivors in the region through the arts-based interventions.

Planned Impact

GBV remains one of the most serious threats to the health and safety of women and girls worldwide, and in South Africa (SA) GBV has reached epidemic proportions (Reuters 2019), prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national emergency. This project comes in response to this call, with actions bringing tangible benefits to rural Eastern Cape (EC) directly and promising substantial, positive impact on future prevention efforts in SA and globally.
The project will enhance legal and regulatory reforms through evidence-based research, which, drafted with the community as well as government stakeholders, will drive policy change. This includes an Action Framework, which, written with the National House of Traditional Leaders (which advises the President on matters relating to customary law), will address GBV from traditional perspectives (the first initiative of its kind in SA), to be submitted as a fast-track initiative to the National Development Plan through Operation Phakis. In a further effort to strengthen legal and regulatory reform, this project will establish two gender-equity officers, who will ensure gender equity principles are incorporated into AmaZizi cultural policies and activities, and promote sustainable change.
The project will combat GBV through education and awareness with numerous actions, including an AmaZizi Women's Commission, the region's first women's collective to work with the community to identify local solutions to fighting GBV, implement interventions and advocate for provincial reform; 'Communities Strategies for Change,' an initiative to encourage citizens across EC to collectively raise their voices to impact change and enforce Ramaphosa's emergency plan to end GBV; 'Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign,' an initiative aimed to raise awareness among EC men regarding GBV, and Enough is Enough Festival and Enough is Enough art exhibitions. These actions promise to lift taboos and ensure GBV in all its manifestations is more commonly understood.
The project has organised capacity-building workshops for AmaZizi-assigned policy officers to ensure that they have the skills and tools necessary to explore GBV from more culturally-competent, community-based perspectives. A 'How-To' manual on this action will allow it to be rolled out to other law enforcements across the country. By strengthening the response of law enforcement, this action can have a dramatic impact on the region, including the prevention of future violent acts and the protection of GBV survivors.
Support for GBV survivors is minimal in rural South Africa. In response, this project introduces intervention workshops that use the arts to promote healing and support survivors and their families to engage with the traumas from the past and reconnect with the community.
This project also improves the economic power of women through entrepreneurial training, including support on how to start and develop small businesses in the cultural sector.
Measures to ensure the project's impact will continue beyond this project include the Research Team, which helps grow a new generation of leaders; the Police Response 'How-To Manual' will assist Community Safety Fora to continue training law enforcement across the country through arts-based workshops; traditional leaders across South Africa support plans to roll out similar activities across their rural chiefdoms following the success of this project; and Chief Jongisilo, through his membership to various government agencies, pledges continued support at regional , provincial and national levels, and will provide follow-up to participants.
 
Title AiA Arts Exhibition 
Description Art pieces created by women participating in the AiA Women's Collective as well as their arts instructors involved in AiA were exhibited at an Art Exhibition at the Nelson Mandel Museum, Mthatha, on 20 August 2021. These art pieces highlighted various aspects of gender-based violence. AiA also commissioned new artwork for the exhibit from South African artists, around the theme of gender-based violence: these were also displayed at the exhibit. The exhibit is presently on show at Frida Hartley Shelter in Johannesburg, and will be hosted in the United States at Rutgers University in summer 2022. 
Type Of Art Artistic/Creative Exhibition 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact This exhibit helped to break the silence around gender-based violence, as indicated from video interviews had with attendees during and after the exhibition. This exhibit also has helped solidify future collaborations with Nelson Mandela Museum, including plans for an upcoming conference (summer 2022) on representing violence in exhibitions. 
URL https://vusizwefoundation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AiA-Exhibit-Brochure.pdf
 
Title Aia Enough is Enough Festival 
Description Accompanying the AiA exhibit was the one-day (20 August 2021) AiA Enough is Enough Festival that, held at Nelson Mandela Museum (in Eastern Cape, South Africa), included: (1) panels discussing gender-based violence (including data statistics gleaned from this project), which comprised NGO leaders, political leaders, GBV survivors, traditional leaders and academicians; (2) spoken word performances promoting GBV safety messages; (3) short plays around GBV were presented; and (4) music and dance performances were presented celebrating gender equality. 
Type Of Art Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact Impact from the Festival was far reaching and includes: • Attendees attaining growing awareness of GBV (evidenced by video testimonies) • Increased awareness around support available to survivors of GBV (prior to Festival less than 2% knew about the support mechanisms currently in place) • Traditional leaders in attention promise to strengthen support mechanisms within their Chiefdoms, including developing more opportunities for counselling and mental health services. 
 
Description Although incidences of gender-based violence (GBV) in AmaZizi Chiefdom are high, GBV in this region remains hugely understudied. This project has now collected required data to identify the prevalence of GBV in AmaZizi Chiefdom and to identify the specific drivers of GBV in the region. We interviewed 290 AmaZizi persons-140 men and 150 women, aged between 16 and 57; interviews were held in confidence. Unexpectedly, the data indicated a high number--78% men and 78% women--believe women must obey their male partners, with violence an expected course of 'punishment' should women 'disobey'. These findings have been used by the AmaZizi community to garner additional funds nationally to provide continued support in the area of gender-based violence.

The data collected also indicated that, while AiA did provide men's groups to help curb gender-based violence in AmaZizi, more needed to be done to support the men to reconsider accepted norms around violence and definitions of masculinity. With that data, we have since petitioned the House of Traditional Leaders in Eastern Cape to include in their male initiation schools workshops around gender-based violence, where the men can discuss the data our grant gleaned and strategise on ways to curb the high rates of gender-based violence in AmaZizi.

AiA also uncovered high rates of witchcraft-related violence (which is directly primarily at elderly women) in AmaZizi, and have since worked with the community to renew its commitment to end witchcraft-related violence (this is evidenced by the community using this research data on witchcraft-related violence to petition for funds from Department of Health (£40,000) and South African Lotto (£20,000) to support elderly women); and the AiA AmaZizi Women's Collective has garnered provincial funding to continue meetings.
Exploitation Route AiA has shown the arts to be effective tools of intervention for combatting gender-based violence, helping to mobilise communities around issues of violence against women; allowing sensitive information like GBV (considered taboo in AmaZizi) to be discussed, debated and communicated; and helping invoke social change around gender inequality, with members of the community inspired to amend behavioural attitudes around violence against women. AiA actions can be transferred for use in other regions fighting GBV and for using arts to combat other social and health issues. For example, because of AiA's success, the PI is currently working with the AmaZizi to extend AiA actions to secure water and sanitation in the region (because of AiA's success in fighting GBV, the government's Department of Water and Sanitation has endorsed the current water project).
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other
 
Description Findings from AiA research have been far-reaching, and include: • Research has been used by the Women's Collective (initiated as per our grant) to petition provincial funds to maintain the women support groups following this AHRC-funded project • Research is being used to revise training at current AmaZizi male initiation rituals with workshops on GBV (young men are trained at these rituals to assume the responsibilities of adulthood; up to now, these rituals have never included discussions of GBV). • AiA Women's Collective members are assuming activist roles in fighting GBV (evidenced by the protest they organised, with support from the police, on 27 August 2021 to fight GBV) • Police in region have modified their approach to dealing with GBV cases (becoming more sensitive to specific needs of rural women) (evidenced by out-going interviews, and evidenced by police now using our AHRC arts-based interventions to support GBV survivors) and the kwaZangashe women have gained more confidence in their local police (evidenced by an increased number of women reporting GBV abuses to police) as a result of AiA • Our research on witchcraft-related violence has been pinpointed in our data as a primary determinant of women's options in healthcare. Elderly women, in particular, had to rely on traditional treatments (herbs, spiritual remedies) for HIV/AIDS or diabetes, because the 10-km walk to the nearest medical centre was too dangerous due to witch-hunters lying in wait for them. Our article (De Jong & Jongisilo, 2022) was used by the AmaZizi community to garner funds from South Africa's Department of Social Development to begin building a medical centre in that area, therefore allowing safer access to medical treatments for elderly women. • An article with co-authors Twayise, Jijingubo, and Tshefu (Gender Questions, in press), which details the contextual factors that facilitate and entrench normative values and practices around GBV in rural Eastern Cape, is being used by the House of Traditional Leaders in Eastern Cape to revise training at current AmaZizi male initiation rituals with workshops on GBV (these rituals train young men to assume the responsibilities of adulthood, and, until now, neglected discussions of GBV). • This same article (De Jong, Twayise, Jijingubo & Tshefu) has been used to successfully petition for provincial funds to maintain the women support groups following the close of the AHRC-funded project. • Another article with Suliali, ka Pokwana & Tshefu (African Journal of Women and Gender Studies, in press) led community leaders in AmaZizi to reconsider the design of traditional homes so that they provide better security in cases of GBV.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy
Impact Types Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services
 
Description Male Initiation Schools
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
Impact Traditional leaders are now discussing including these workshops on a full-time basis in the Initiation Schools.
 
Description EPSRC, "Taking on Violence Against Women: The Arts in Action"
Amount £30,000 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 10/2022 
End 03/2023
 
Description Arts in Action Travelling Exhibit 
Organisation Frida Hartley Shelter
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Arts Exhibit from the Arts in Action grant, on display at the Nelson Mandela Museum, is now travelling nationally and internationally. I am coordinating this project: the artwork is currently on display at Frida Hartley Shelter and will travel to the USA in Summer, 2022 for display at Rutgers University. The exhibition in the USA was delayed because of COVID (it was scheduled to be displayed at Rutgers University in Winter, 2021), but the exhibition is now on track to be displayed in Summer 2022.
Collaborator Contribution Frida Hartley Shelter and Rutgers University are providing spaces and support for the exhibitions.
Impact The art exhibit, currently on display at Frida Hartley, is already creating more awareness about gender-based violence and how the arts can be used to support that awareness, with the exhibit reaching new audiences (including women currently at the Shelter). By bringing this exhibit to the USA, we bring an international lens on the complex issues of gender-based violence in South Africa, raising awareness at an international level.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Arts in Action Travelling Exhibit 
Organisation Rutgers University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Arts Exhibit from the Arts in Action grant, on display at the Nelson Mandela Museum, is now travelling nationally and internationally. I am coordinating this project: the artwork is currently on display at Frida Hartley Shelter and will travel to the USA in Summer, 2022 for display at Rutgers University. The exhibition in the USA was delayed because of COVID (it was scheduled to be displayed at Rutgers University in Winter, 2021), but the exhibition is now on track to be displayed in Summer 2022.
Collaborator Contribution Frida Hartley Shelter and Rutgers University are providing spaces and support for the exhibitions.
Impact The art exhibit, currently on display at Frida Hartley, is already creating more awareness about gender-based violence and how the arts can be used to support that awareness, with the exhibit reaching new audiences (including women currently at the Shelter). By bringing this exhibit to the USA, we bring an international lens on the complex issues of gender-based violence in South Africa, raising awareness at an international level.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Equity Officers Policy Network 
Organisation Government of South Africa
Department South African Police Service
Country South Africa 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Equity Officers Policy Network was organised by AiA to help ensure gender equity principles are incorporated into regional activities and cultural policies, and to promote sustainable change. The Network was also organised to help elevate AmaZizi Chiefdom within local policy and promote more effective inter-agency coordination. At the centre of the Network's responsibilities was the AiA action to hire and support two equity officers in AmaZizi. These officers would help local police, local NGOs and traditional leadership in fighting GBV in AmaZizi Chiefdom.
Collaborator Contribution Two equity officers were hired on 1 July 2020 (through a series of interviews with Chief Jongisilo), and both received training over four days in late July with The Red Cross on effective ways to support survivors of GBV and their families and to ensure those GBV cases that are reported are handled appropriately and escalated accordingly, based on the procedures of the Chiefdom as well as the South African Police Services. The equity officers continue to receive regular support and guidance from Sinawe Rape Crisis and White Door Centre of Hope. The equity officers are currently working with Vusizwe Foundation and the Sexual Offences Unit with the Ngcobo Police to help ensure availability of rape evidence collection kits in AmaZizi. This has had the effect of shared understanding within the community that the service is available. Both victims and perpetrators are referred as necessary to Ngcobo Department of Social Development. The officers also, with assistance from Chief Jongisilo and Dutywa law enforcement, have begun to roll out the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, replicating a similar programme established in Pretoria by Police General Bheki Cele. The officers plan to lead the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, which under COVID restrictions is planned for meeting remotely. The aim of the Campaign is to raise awareness regarding GBV among AmaZizi men. In addition, the equity officers are trained to become part of the family court, which is central to traditional leadership, should the survivor pursue that legal approach. Decisions by the family court remain matters for the Department of Social Development.
Impact The impact of the Equity Officers Policy Network can be seen in an increased level of interaction among AmaZizi men and women at AiA events around issues of GBV, as well as through the changing reporting standards of the survivors of GBV (currently being documented to share with local police through another AiA action, Police Response meetings). Efforts to influence public policies, practices and laws through various forms of persuasive communications has started to yield results as police engagement and response has increased from previous years.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Equity Officers Policy Network 
Organisation South African National Department of Social Development
Country South Africa 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Equity Officers Policy Network was organised by AiA to help ensure gender equity principles are incorporated into regional activities and cultural policies, and to promote sustainable change. The Network was also organised to help elevate AmaZizi Chiefdom within local policy and promote more effective inter-agency coordination. At the centre of the Network's responsibilities was the AiA action to hire and support two equity officers in AmaZizi. These officers would help local police, local NGOs and traditional leadership in fighting GBV in AmaZizi Chiefdom.
Collaborator Contribution Two equity officers were hired on 1 July 2020 (through a series of interviews with Chief Jongisilo), and both received training over four days in late July with The Red Cross on effective ways to support survivors of GBV and their families and to ensure those GBV cases that are reported are handled appropriately and escalated accordingly, based on the procedures of the Chiefdom as well as the South African Police Services. The equity officers continue to receive regular support and guidance from Sinawe Rape Crisis and White Door Centre of Hope. The equity officers are currently working with Vusizwe Foundation and the Sexual Offences Unit with the Ngcobo Police to help ensure availability of rape evidence collection kits in AmaZizi. This has had the effect of shared understanding within the community that the service is available. Both victims and perpetrators are referred as necessary to Ngcobo Department of Social Development. The officers also, with assistance from Chief Jongisilo and Dutywa law enforcement, have begun to roll out the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, replicating a similar programme established in Pretoria by Police General Bheki Cele. The officers plan to lead the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, which under COVID restrictions is planned for meeting remotely. The aim of the Campaign is to raise awareness regarding GBV among AmaZizi men. In addition, the equity officers are trained to become part of the family court, which is central to traditional leadership, should the survivor pursue that legal approach. Decisions by the family court remain matters for the Department of Social Development.
Impact The impact of the Equity Officers Policy Network can be seen in an increased level of interaction among AmaZizi men and women at AiA events around issues of GBV, as well as through the changing reporting standards of the survivors of GBV (currently being documented to share with local police through another AiA action, Police Response meetings). Efforts to influence public policies, practices and laws through various forms of persuasive communications has started to yield results as police engagement and response has increased from previous years.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Equity Officers Policy Network 
Organisation Vusizwe Foundation
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Equity Officers Policy Network was organised by AiA to help ensure gender equity principles are incorporated into regional activities and cultural policies, and to promote sustainable change. The Network was also organised to help elevate AmaZizi Chiefdom within local policy and promote more effective inter-agency coordination. At the centre of the Network's responsibilities was the AiA action to hire and support two equity officers in AmaZizi. These officers would help local police, local NGOs and traditional leadership in fighting GBV in AmaZizi Chiefdom.
Collaborator Contribution Two equity officers were hired on 1 July 2020 (through a series of interviews with Chief Jongisilo), and both received training over four days in late July with The Red Cross on effective ways to support survivors of GBV and their families and to ensure those GBV cases that are reported are handled appropriately and escalated accordingly, based on the procedures of the Chiefdom as well as the South African Police Services. The equity officers continue to receive regular support and guidance from Sinawe Rape Crisis and White Door Centre of Hope. The equity officers are currently working with Vusizwe Foundation and the Sexual Offences Unit with the Ngcobo Police to help ensure availability of rape evidence collection kits in AmaZizi. This has had the effect of shared understanding within the community that the service is available. Both victims and perpetrators are referred as necessary to Ngcobo Department of Social Development. The officers also, with assistance from Chief Jongisilo and Dutywa law enforcement, have begun to roll out the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, replicating a similar programme established in Pretoria by Police General Bheki Cele. The officers plan to lead the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, which under COVID restrictions is planned for meeting remotely. The aim of the Campaign is to raise awareness regarding GBV among AmaZizi men. In addition, the equity officers are trained to become part of the family court, which is central to traditional leadership, should the survivor pursue that legal approach. Decisions by the family court remain matters for the Department of Social Development.
Impact The impact of the Equity Officers Policy Network can be seen in an increased level of interaction among AmaZizi men and women at AiA events around issues of GBV, as well as through the changing reporting standards of the survivors of GBV (currently being documented to share with local police through another AiA action, Police Response meetings). Efforts to influence public policies, practices and laws through various forms of persuasive communications has started to yield results as police engagement and response has increased from previous years.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Equity Officers Policy Network 
Organisation White Door Centre of Hope
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Equity Officers Policy Network was organised by AiA to help ensure gender equity principles are incorporated into regional activities and cultural policies, and to promote sustainable change. The Network was also organised to help elevate AmaZizi Chiefdom within local policy and promote more effective inter-agency coordination. At the centre of the Network's responsibilities was the AiA action to hire and support two equity officers in AmaZizi. These officers would help local police, local NGOs and traditional leadership in fighting GBV in AmaZizi Chiefdom.
Collaborator Contribution Two equity officers were hired on 1 July 2020 (through a series of interviews with Chief Jongisilo), and both received training over four days in late July with The Red Cross on effective ways to support survivors of GBV and their families and to ensure those GBV cases that are reported are handled appropriately and escalated accordingly, based on the procedures of the Chiefdom as well as the South African Police Services. The equity officers continue to receive regular support and guidance from Sinawe Rape Crisis and White Door Centre of Hope. The equity officers are currently working with Vusizwe Foundation and the Sexual Offences Unit with the Ngcobo Police to help ensure availability of rape evidence collection kits in AmaZizi. This has had the effect of shared understanding within the community that the service is available. Both victims and perpetrators are referred as necessary to Ngcobo Department of Social Development. The officers also, with assistance from Chief Jongisilo and Dutywa law enforcement, have begun to roll out the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, replicating a similar programme established in Pretoria by Police General Bheki Cele. The officers plan to lead the Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign, which under COVID restrictions is planned for meeting remotely. The aim of the Campaign is to raise awareness regarding GBV among AmaZizi men. In addition, the equity officers are trained to become part of the family court, which is central to traditional leadership, should the survivor pursue that legal approach. Decisions by the family court remain matters for the Department of Social Development.
Impact The impact of the Equity Officers Policy Network can be seen in an increased level of interaction among AmaZizi men and women at AiA events around issues of GBV, as well as through the changing reporting standards of the survivors of GBV (currently being documented to share with local police through another AiA action, Police Response meetings). Efforts to influence public policies, practices and laws through various forms of persuasive communications has started to yield results as police engagement and response has increased from previous years.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Frida Hartley Music for Change 
Organisation Frida Hartley Shelter
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution I approached Friday Hartley Shelter about bringing arts-based interventions from Arts in Action to the Shelter, and held meetings with the Shelter's manager and board about developing a programme whereby we work with the women at the Shelter to develop an education campaign using music and song that can be used at a national level to combat gender-based violence. I am now organising a funding application to cover costs for this project.
Collaborator Contribution Frida Hartley Shelter has created a WhatsApp group where we can more easily discuss this project and Frida Hartley will lead on the grant application. GAP Solutions will manage the project, if funded; and is currently chairing our meetings.
Impact Upcoming grant application: Music for Change Funding from South Africa: DIGITAL BRICS RESEARCH AND TEACHING MOBILITY GRANTS FOR THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Start Year 2021
 
Description NGO-CBO Consortium 
Organisation Frida Hartley Shelter
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution AiA directly brought together four non-profit organisations (NGOs) and four community-based organisations (CBOs) (all located in or working in the AmaZizi region) for purposes of supporting AiA goals of strengthening the GBV sector within AmaZizi. In AmaZizi Chiefdom in particular, there exists a significant gap between NGOs and CBOs in the fight against GBV. Both have been seen as indispensable in combatting GBV, offering key services to women and engaging in advocacy work; yet to date NGOs and CBOs do not present a strong, unified front in combatting GBV. NGOs are uninformed about the community activities of CBOS, and vice versa. Their fragmented, ill-coordinated efforts have meant poorly executed actions, which to date have had little impact on combatting GBV in the region. The proliferation of violence against women in AmaZizi Chiefdom, however, necessitates the need that NGOs and CBOs work more effectively together. Only then can services rendered to those women in the region seeking assistance be adequate and useful. This consortium will help strengthen the GBV sector in AmaZizi, which is a key priority of AiA.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe Foundation is an AiA partner, and is helping to lead this consortium, supported by the AiA research administrator. Members of the consortium are assisting with AiA research by administering AiA questionnaires to their women clients and by speaking to the AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) on issues of GBV.
Impact This is the first time a consortium of NGOs and CBOs in AmaZizi has been created around uniting efforts to fight GBV. The consortium has benefited from NGOs and CBOs meeting and discussing their efforts, discovering where actions overlap and where efforts could be strengthened if tackled together. Although this collaboration is still unfolding, what seems essential is that these NGOs and CBOs engage in regular, critical self-reflection and strategizing. Initial meetings revealed that some CBOs and NGOs working with issues of GBV in the region have limited understanding of the various pieces of legislation regulating GBV; some have poor capacity; some lack the professional skills required to deal with incidences of violence; and most have limited resources in which to meet the needs of victims. It is clear that the consortium could benefit from planned capacity-and skills-building workshops. A future AHRC networking grant is being organised (to be submitted by the PI and the consortium before AiA funding finishes) with the following aims: • Continue to build partnerships and networks between NGOs and CBOs in the region • Increase organisations' capacity to deal with incidences of GBV by better equipping them with information and skills • Provide capacity- and skills-building with workshops on areas of interest, including writing up funding proposals and organising fundraising activities Ultimately, with this consortium we would like to see both CBOs and NGOs capacitated in terms of skills and ability to access resources, and that they can offer more effective, well-informed services to communities regarding GBV. An impact survey of this consortium will be administered at the close of the AiA grant.
Start Year 2021
 
Description NGO-CBO Consortium 
Organisation Impendulo Foundation
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution AiA directly brought together four non-profit organisations (NGOs) and four community-based organisations (CBOs) (all located in or working in the AmaZizi region) for purposes of supporting AiA goals of strengthening the GBV sector within AmaZizi. In AmaZizi Chiefdom in particular, there exists a significant gap between NGOs and CBOs in the fight against GBV. Both have been seen as indispensable in combatting GBV, offering key services to women and engaging in advocacy work; yet to date NGOs and CBOs do not present a strong, unified front in combatting GBV. NGOs are uninformed about the community activities of CBOS, and vice versa. Their fragmented, ill-coordinated efforts have meant poorly executed actions, which to date have had little impact on combatting GBV in the region. The proliferation of violence against women in AmaZizi Chiefdom, however, necessitates the need that NGOs and CBOs work more effectively together. Only then can services rendered to those women in the region seeking assistance be adequate and useful. This consortium will help strengthen the GBV sector in AmaZizi, which is a key priority of AiA.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe Foundation is an AiA partner, and is helping to lead this consortium, supported by the AiA research administrator. Members of the consortium are assisting with AiA research by administering AiA questionnaires to their women clients and by speaking to the AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) on issues of GBV.
Impact This is the first time a consortium of NGOs and CBOs in AmaZizi has been created around uniting efforts to fight GBV. The consortium has benefited from NGOs and CBOs meeting and discussing their efforts, discovering where actions overlap and where efforts could be strengthened if tackled together. Although this collaboration is still unfolding, what seems essential is that these NGOs and CBOs engage in regular, critical self-reflection and strategizing. Initial meetings revealed that some CBOs and NGOs working with issues of GBV in the region have limited understanding of the various pieces of legislation regulating GBV; some have poor capacity; some lack the professional skills required to deal with incidences of violence; and most have limited resources in which to meet the needs of victims. It is clear that the consortium could benefit from planned capacity-and skills-building workshops. A future AHRC networking grant is being organised (to be submitted by the PI and the consortium before AiA funding finishes) with the following aims: • Continue to build partnerships and networks between NGOs and CBOs in the region • Increase organisations' capacity to deal with incidences of GBV by better equipping them with information and skills • Provide capacity- and skills-building with workshops on areas of interest, including writing up funding proposals and organising fundraising activities Ultimately, with this consortium we would like to see both CBOs and NGOs capacitated in terms of skills and ability to access resources, and that they can offer more effective, well-informed services to communities regarding GBV. An impact survey of this consortium will be administered at the close of the AiA grant.
Start Year 2021
 
Description NGO-CBO Consortium 
Organisation Masimanyane Women's Rights International
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution AiA directly brought together four non-profit organisations (NGOs) and four community-based organisations (CBOs) (all located in or working in the AmaZizi region) for purposes of supporting AiA goals of strengthening the GBV sector within AmaZizi. In AmaZizi Chiefdom in particular, there exists a significant gap between NGOs and CBOs in the fight against GBV. Both have been seen as indispensable in combatting GBV, offering key services to women and engaging in advocacy work; yet to date NGOs and CBOs do not present a strong, unified front in combatting GBV. NGOs are uninformed about the community activities of CBOS, and vice versa. Their fragmented, ill-coordinated efforts have meant poorly executed actions, which to date have had little impact on combatting GBV in the region. The proliferation of violence against women in AmaZizi Chiefdom, however, necessitates the need that NGOs and CBOs work more effectively together. Only then can services rendered to those women in the region seeking assistance be adequate and useful. This consortium will help strengthen the GBV sector in AmaZizi, which is a key priority of AiA.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe Foundation is an AiA partner, and is helping to lead this consortium, supported by the AiA research administrator. Members of the consortium are assisting with AiA research by administering AiA questionnaires to their women clients and by speaking to the AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) on issues of GBV.
Impact This is the first time a consortium of NGOs and CBOs in AmaZizi has been created around uniting efforts to fight GBV. The consortium has benefited from NGOs and CBOs meeting and discussing their efforts, discovering where actions overlap and where efforts could be strengthened if tackled together. Although this collaboration is still unfolding, what seems essential is that these NGOs and CBOs engage in regular, critical self-reflection and strategizing. Initial meetings revealed that some CBOs and NGOs working with issues of GBV in the region have limited understanding of the various pieces of legislation regulating GBV; some have poor capacity; some lack the professional skills required to deal with incidences of violence; and most have limited resources in which to meet the needs of victims. It is clear that the consortium could benefit from planned capacity-and skills-building workshops. A future AHRC networking grant is being organised (to be submitted by the PI and the consortium before AiA funding finishes) with the following aims: • Continue to build partnerships and networks between NGOs and CBOs in the region • Increase organisations' capacity to deal with incidences of GBV by better equipping them with information and skills • Provide capacity- and skills-building with workshops on areas of interest, including writing up funding proposals and organising fundraising activities Ultimately, with this consortium we would like to see both CBOs and NGOs capacitated in terms of skills and ability to access resources, and that they can offer more effective, well-informed services to communities regarding GBV. An impact survey of this consortium will be administered at the close of the AiA grant.
Start Year 2021
 
Description NGO-CBO Consortium 
Organisation Mthatha Arts Academy
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution AiA directly brought together four non-profit organisations (NGOs) and four community-based organisations (CBOs) (all located in or working in the AmaZizi region) for purposes of supporting AiA goals of strengthening the GBV sector within AmaZizi. In AmaZizi Chiefdom in particular, there exists a significant gap between NGOs and CBOs in the fight against GBV. Both have been seen as indispensable in combatting GBV, offering key services to women and engaging in advocacy work; yet to date NGOs and CBOs do not present a strong, unified front in combatting GBV. NGOs are uninformed about the community activities of CBOS, and vice versa. Their fragmented, ill-coordinated efforts have meant poorly executed actions, which to date have had little impact on combatting GBV in the region. The proliferation of violence against women in AmaZizi Chiefdom, however, necessitates the need that NGOs and CBOs work more effectively together. Only then can services rendered to those women in the region seeking assistance be adequate and useful. This consortium will help strengthen the GBV sector in AmaZizi, which is a key priority of AiA.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe Foundation is an AiA partner, and is helping to lead this consortium, supported by the AiA research administrator. Members of the consortium are assisting with AiA research by administering AiA questionnaires to their women clients and by speaking to the AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) on issues of GBV.
Impact This is the first time a consortium of NGOs and CBOs in AmaZizi has been created around uniting efforts to fight GBV. The consortium has benefited from NGOs and CBOs meeting and discussing their efforts, discovering where actions overlap and where efforts could be strengthened if tackled together. Although this collaboration is still unfolding, what seems essential is that these NGOs and CBOs engage in regular, critical self-reflection and strategizing. Initial meetings revealed that some CBOs and NGOs working with issues of GBV in the region have limited understanding of the various pieces of legislation regulating GBV; some have poor capacity; some lack the professional skills required to deal with incidences of violence; and most have limited resources in which to meet the needs of victims. It is clear that the consortium could benefit from planned capacity-and skills-building workshops. A future AHRC networking grant is being organised (to be submitted by the PI and the consortium before AiA funding finishes) with the following aims: • Continue to build partnerships and networks between NGOs and CBOs in the region • Increase organisations' capacity to deal with incidences of GBV by better equipping them with information and skills • Provide capacity- and skills-building with workshops on areas of interest, including writing up funding proposals and organising fundraising activities Ultimately, with this consortium we would like to see both CBOs and NGOs capacitated in terms of skills and ability to access resources, and that they can offer more effective, well-informed services to communities regarding GBV. An impact survey of this consortium will be administered at the close of the AiA grant.
Start Year 2021
 
Description NGO-CBO Consortium 
Organisation Vusizwe Foundation
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution AiA directly brought together four non-profit organisations (NGOs) and four community-based organisations (CBOs) (all located in or working in the AmaZizi region) for purposes of supporting AiA goals of strengthening the GBV sector within AmaZizi. In AmaZizi Chiefdom in particular, there exists a significant gap between NGOs and CBOs in the fight against GBV. Both have been seen as indispensable in combatting GBV, offering key services to women and engaging in advocacy work; yet to date NGOs and CBOs do not present a strong, unified front in combatting GBV. NGOs are uninformed about the community activities of CBOS, and vice versa. Their fragmented, ill-coordinated efforts have meant poorly executed actions, which to date have had little impact on combatting GBV in the region. The proliferation of violence against women in AmaZizi Chiefdom, however, necessitates the need that NGOs and CBOs work more effectively together. Only then can services rendered to those women in the region seeking assistance be adequate and useful. This consortium will help strengthen the GBV sector in AmaZizi, which is a key priority of AiA.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe Foundation is an AiA partner, and is helping to lead this consortium, supported by the AiA research administrator. Members of the consortium are assisting with AiA research by administering AiA questionnaires to their women clients and by speaking to the AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) on issues of GBV.
Impact This is the first time a consortium of NGOs and CBOs in AmaZizi has been created around uniting efforts to fight GBV. The consortium has benefited from NGOs and CBOs meeting and discussing their efforts, discovering where actions overlap and where efforts could be strengthened if tackled together. Although this collaboration is still unfolding, what seems essential is that these NGOs and CBOs engage in regular, critical self-reflection and strategizing. Initial meetings revealed that some CBOs and NGOs working with issues of GBV in the region have limited understanding of the various pieces of legislation regulating GBV; some have poor capacity; some lack the professional skills required to deal with incidences of violence; and most have limited resources in which to meet the needs of victims. It is clear that the consortium could benefit from planned capacity-and skills-building workshops. A future AHRC networking grant is being organised (to be submitted by the PI and the consortium before AiA funding finishes) with the following aims: • Continue to build partnerships and networks between NGOs and CBOs in the region • Increase organisations' capacity to deal with incidences of GBV by better equipping them with information and skills • Provide capacity- and skills-building with workshops on areas of interest, including writing up funding proposals and organising fundraising activities Ultimately, with this consortium we would like to see both CBOs and NGOs capacitated in terms of skills and ability to access resources, and that they can offer more effective, well-informed services to communities regarding GBV. An impact survey of this consortium will be administered at the close of the AiA grant.
Start Year 2021
 
Description NGO-CBO Consortium 
Organisation White Door Centre of Hope
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution AiA directly brought together four non-profit organisations (NGOs) and four community-based organisations (CBOs) (all located in or working in the AmaZizi region) for purposes of supporting AiA goals of strengthening the GBV sector within AmaZizi. In AmaZizi Chiefdom in particular, there exists a significant gap between NGOs and CBOs in the fight against GBV. Both have been seen as indispensable in combatting GBV, offering key services to women and engaging in advocacy work; yet to date NGOs and CBOs do not present a strong, unified front in combatting GBV. NGOs are uninformed about the community activities of CBOS, and vice versa. Their fragmented, ill-coordinated efforts have meant poorly executed actions, which to date have had little impact on combatting GBV in the region. The proliferation of violence against women in AmaZizi Chiefdom, however, necessitates the need that NGOs and CBOs work more effectively together. Only then can services rendered to those women in the region seeking assistance be adequate and useful. This consortium will help strengthen the GBV sector in AmaZizi, which is a key priority of AiA.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe Foundation is an AiA partner, and is helping to lead this consortium, supported by the AiA research administrator. Members of the consortium are assisting with AiA research by administering AiA questionnaires to their women clients and by speaking to the AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) on issues of GBV.
Impact This is the first time a consortium of NGOs and CBOs in AmaZizi has been created around uniting efforts to fight GBV. The consortium has benefited from NGOs and CBOs meeting and discussing their efforts, discovering where actions overlap and where efforts could be strengthened if tackled together. Although this collaboration is still unfolding, what seems essential is that these NGOs and CBOs engage in regular, critical self-reflection and strategizing. Initial meetings revealed that some CBOs and NGOs working with issues of GBV in the region have limited understanding of the various pieces of legislation regulating GBV; some have poor capacity; some lack the professional skills required to deal with incidences of violence; and most have limited resources in which to meet the needs of victims. It is clear that the consortium could benefit from planned capacity-and skills-building workshops. A future AHRC networking grant is being organised (to be submitted by the PI and the consortium before AiA funding finishes) with the following aims: • Continue to build partnerships and networks between NGOs and CBOs in the region • Increase organisations' capacity to deal with incidences of GBV by better equipping them with information and skills • Provide capacity- and skills-building with workshops on areas of interest, including writing up funding proposals and organising fundraising activities Ultimately, with this consortium we would like to see both CBOs and NGOs capacitated in terms of skills and ability to access resources, and that they can offer more effective, well-informed services to communities regarding GBV. An impact survey of this consortium will be administered at the close of the AiA grant.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Safe Water and Sanitation Project 
Organisation Walter Sisulu University
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Following the success of the Arts in Action project (which uses the arts to combat gender-based violence), the Co-I Vusizwe Foundation and PI discussed how we could extend actions from Arts in Action to support water management in the AmaZizi region. We reached out to Walter Sisulu University (Department of Engineering, Department of Performing and Visual Arts and Department of Education) and we have devised ways forward, directly borrowing upon actions from Arts in Action. We have now submitted a grant to pilot an arts-based intervention around water management in AmaZizi through the Wellcome Trust Discovery Award, where I serve as PI.
Collaborator Contribution Vusizwe garnered a MOU with Walter Sisulu University.
Impact Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Experiment (PHaSE) Grant Application, Wellcome Trust Discovery Award, £1.6 milliion requested
Start Year 2022
 
Description UNISA (University of South Africa) 
Organisation UNISA
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution UNISA has named me as a research fellow as a result of the research conducted through the AHRC. I am currently collaborating with UNISA on an AHRC Standard grant application.
Collaborator Contribution UNISA has provided me access to its libraries and archives.
Impact A collaborative research application currently being pursued.
Start Year 2022
 
Description AiA Online Gallery Shop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The artwork from the AiA Arts Exhibit was for sale. This online gallery shop was organised to encourage wider international recognition of the artwork. As a result of the online gallery shop, many pieces more pieces have been sold, and artists across South Africa have contacted AiA enquiring about joining the online exhibit or being part of future AiA arts exhibits.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://vusizwefoundation.org.za/artsinaction/aia-store/
 
Description AiA Website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The website associated with this project was designed and launched within the first month. A project logo was designed at the same time as the website, meant to serve as a face of the project and a point of recognition for participants on project actions (the logo will also be placed on artwork created for the project by participants to further root the project's message of the arts as tools for fighting gender-based violence in the community).

The purpose of the website has been both to disseminate information on the project at a local and international level, including its actions, as well as to share our research. Because the website is meant to appeal to wider, local audiences and to local stakeholders, we use more colloquial language on the website. Any additions to the website are discussed and ok'd by the Women's Collective, thereby ensuring the information shared on the website is culturally appropriate and that it supports local needs/expectations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://vusizwefoundation.org.za/artsinaction/
 
Description AiA addressing GBV at Department of Arts and Culture 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Chief Jongisilo has engaged and participated in open discussions addressing GBV with the Members of the Executive Council (MEC) of Eastern Cape Department of Arts and Culture. At these discussions, Chief Jongisilo discussed AiA with the MEC, and emphasises AiA's work with survivors of GBV in and around Eastern Cape.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL http://www.ecsrac.gov.za/Media/Pages/MEC-Nkomonye-Visits-Victims-of-GBV.aspx
 
Description AiA addressing GBV at Eastern Cape Provincial Women's Rights Day Commemoration 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Chief Jongisilo was a panellist at the 2020 Eastern Cape Provincial Women's Rights Day Commemoration where he discussed AiA initiatives and the importance of addressing the specific drivers of GBV within rural South Africa.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL http://www.ecsrac.gov.za/Media/Pages/EC-Government-Kick-Starts-Women's-Month.aspx
 
Description AmaZizi Men's Collective 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Organised an AmaZizi Men's Collective as a mechanism to get more men to speak out against violence against women and girl, and in defiance to the restrictive stereotypes that have served to normalise gender inequality in AmaZizi. Never before has such a Collective been organised, and the success of the Collective is indicated by
• the men from the Collective helping to revise training at current AmaZizi male initiation rituals so that training include sworkshops on GBV (young men are trained at these rituals to assume the responsibilities of adulthood; up to now, these rituals have never included discussions of GBV).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description AmaZizi Women's Collective (AWC) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The AWC was organised as an AiA action, and comprises 18 Women from 9 Villages across AmaZizi Chiefdom (Clarkebury, Mazinin, Kwandungwanee, Nxamangele, Ntlekiseni, Mqonci and Chaba), and is focused on creating a favourable environment for women's right against GBV in AmaZizi. The AWC meets regularly in-person prior to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and, during restrictions, remotely over WhatsApp. The AWC has been working towards the empowerment of vulnerable women in the villages, and has become central in changing how GBV is discussed and approached in AmaZizi (see impact below). The AWC is regularly updated on reported cases of abuse and the actions taken by the survivors, with the Chief and the Dutwya police thence working together to resolve the matters. Out of this process, mitigation measures are becoming more standardised, with procedures and discussions focusing on mediation, prevention, education and litigation of cases.

The meetings are organized as an Indaba allowing all stakeholders especially those suffering abuse an open space to speak and interact with the group about issues related to GBV in the community. The indaba setting of the AWC has helped combat GBV as it permits not only the collective to participate and engage, but it also enables interaction with the AiA Equity Officers, who also report at these meetings. As a result, there exists real time engagement with the issues of the community, thereby breaking the word-of-mouth reporting process which has proven faulty in the past (details get lost in translation by the time the issue needs to be reported to the Department of Social Services or the police, thereby lessening changes of conviction if GBV is reported). This format has removed some barriers to communication and stigma of 'airing one's laundry in public'. It has a opened a door for villagers to report without fear and also has allowed for discussions to happen without scrutiny and criticism from the village elders. Men have also been able to report and communicate issues relating to gender based violence against them and have highlighted that as a communit,y issues must be discussed in a well-rounded manner as, stated one man in attendance, " sometimes these behaviours are perpetuated by the women."

As a community-based activist group who are working to eliminated gender-based violence in their communities, the AWC has initiated conversations with the government in order to lobby for the establishment of a Thuthuleza Care Centre. The care centres are part of a mandate by the President to identify underutilized spaces that can be used as shelters.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description Arts-Based GBV Workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A series of arts-based workshops (over 30 in total) for women and men were organised in the effort to combat GBV and resist destructive definitions of masculinity across AmaZizi. A primary impact of these workshops include:
• GBV survivors feel supported to begin the healing process (evidenced by participant interviews)
• More men are willing to claim more supportive definitions of masculinity (evidenced by participant interviews)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description Arts-in-Action: Student Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Partners from South Africa joined a group of 45 undergraduate students via Zoom to discuss this AHRC project, and provided advice on arts-based interventions and how to coordinate research collaborations with African partners.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Enough is Enough Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Organised Enough is Enough Festival, held at Nelson Mandela Museum (in Eastern Cape, South Africa)
• Attendees attain growing awareness of GBV (evidenced by video testimonies)
• Led to further collaborations between Newcastle University and Nelson Mandela Museum (jointly-held conference tentatively planned for summer 2022)
• Festival had coverage over national television over e.tv channel
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Intervention Workshop Launch 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The launch of the Intervention Workshops took place on the 26 February 2021, attended by 15 stakeholders from within the KSD Municipality as well as the greater OR TAMBO District Municipality. Some from Nyandeni Municipality, Port St Johns and Mqanduli. A guest artist Mr Zuko Selani engaged the participants in music and poetry, to highlight some of the ways in which the arts can effectively intervene in fighting violence against women and how the arts can be used in future AiA Intervention Workshops. Stakeholders were encouraged to ask questions about how they can adopt the arts in the present GBV interventions. A PowerPoint of latest AiA research also was presented, specifically that the context in which GBV occurs in AmaZizi is amidst cultural constructions of love, sex and entitlement to which women partners are expected to submit. Discussions following the PowerPoint led to stakeholders committed to more critically engage women clients about patriarchal gendered relations. The role of how the arts can assist in that engagement also was discussed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Participatory Research Workshop (with AiA Research Team) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Leading the data collection process on the ground has been a research team of seven AmaZizi youths, selected by the PI and Co-I via detailed interviews. All seven youths have already assisted the PI and/or Co-I in previous ethnographic projects, and therefore have experience in qualitative data collection. Nonetheless, a full one-day training was provided to the research team, led by the PI, on 24 July 2020. At the training, research team members were reminded about the procedures for collecting sensitive information; the methods for documenting and analysing collected data, including quality control procedures, interview methods and problem-resolving skills; and the protocols for obtaining informed consent. Review sessions between the PI and the team have been regularly held, where progress was reviewed and issues or complications regarding data collection were discussed.

Engaging youths in the research and evaluation process not only has generated useful knowledge for communities and individuals on GBV (the team conducted a door-to-door survey on GBV, administering 180 questionnaires) but also has provided opportunities for the development and empowerment of the youth participants, leading to benefits for the young people (all have recommitted to staying in school) and the research process (promoting critical thinking locally that goes beyond mere fact-gathering; relies on local knowledge among individuals who live the research issue).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Performing Arts and Social Violence 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited Speaker, Performing Arts and Social Violence (international symposium, University of Sheffield/University of Nottingham)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Police Workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact AiA organised a series of workshops for police in kwaZangashe (Eastern Cape) on combatting GBV through the arts (based on research garnered during grant period)
• Police modified their approach to dealing with GBV cases (becoming more sensitive to specific needs of rural women) (evidenced by out-going interviews, and evidenced by police now using our AHRC arts-based interventions to support GBV survivors)
• kwaZangashe women gained more confidence in their local police (evidenced by an increased number of women reporting GBV abuses to police)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description Police Workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A series of 10 workshops for police working in AmaZizi Chiefdom to provide guidance on combatting gender-based violence through arts and culture. The impact of these workshops were far-reaching:
• Police modified their approach to dealing with GBV cases (becoming more sensitive to specific needs of rural women) (evidenced by out-going interviews, and evidenced by police now using our AHRC arts-based interventions to support GBV survivors)
• kwaZangashe women gained more confidence in their local police (evidenced by an increased number of women reporting GBV abuses to police)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description Training Stakeholders on Research 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact A different groups of stakeholders from AmaZizi (students, NGOs, general public) were trained on the research process and research complexities involved in investigating GBV and investigating effective arts-based interventions to combat GBV. The training involved workshops and mentoring, which occurred over the course of the grant. Impact from these workshops and mentoring programmes has been far reaching:
• The training led to a collaboratively-researched and -written article: Nanette de Jong, Alungile Jongimpahla Twayise, Anelisiwe Jijingubo and Phinda Tshefu, "Gender-Based Violence in Rural South Africa: Introducing the AmaZizi Chiefdom of Eastern Cape" (under review)
• Research conducted by PI and the Women's Collective was used by the Collective to petition provincial funds to maintain the women support groups initiated during AHRC-funded project
• Research conducted by PI and the Men's Collective led to a revision in current AmaZizi male initiation rituals
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description UKRI UN Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited Speaker, UKRI UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Virtual Arts Exhibit 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The AiA Virtual Arts Exhibit brings the artwork created for this project and by participants on this project to international audiences, enabling those unable to attend the exhibit (due to distance or COVID restrictions) and view the artwork. The exhibit is made interactive and immersive with opportunities to click on the artwork to learn more about the piece and/or the artist. The exhibit can be viewed via 3-D navigation, allowing the viewer to move around the exhibit. However, the exhibit can also be viewed with the accompaniment of a narrated tour: the voice-over narration (the director of Frida Hartley Shelter is the narrator) allows for a particularly engaging experience, with the narrator sharing insights around the exhibit and how the arts have been used to combat gender-based violence in AiA.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://vusizwefoundation.org.za/artsinaction/aia-ex/
 
Description Women Protest 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Women participants from the AmaZizi Women's Collective organised a protest with support from the police to fight gender-based violence: the protest occurred on 27 August 2021, with women marching through the city of Mthatha singing songs and chants about the need to end GBV and carrying signs with that message as well. The impact includes:
• There has emerged a shift in knowledge in Mthatha around domestic violence due to the protest, including more persons hearing about the support mechanisms in place for GBV survivors as a result of the protest (as indicated via interviews)
• Attitude also shifted with the protest, with more people in Mthatha disagreeing domestic violence is a private affair as a result of the protest (as indicated via interviews)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Women's Collective 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Organised an AmaZizi Women's Collective (women leaders from AmaZizi Chiefdom) as a means of supporting GBV survivors (no such support system was in place prior). The impact of the Collective has been important:
• Collective members petitioned for local funds to continue meetings outside funding scheme
• Collective members assumed activist roles in fighting GBV (evidenced by the protest they organised, with support from the police, on 27 August 2021 to fight GBV)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021