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Dear VPF Friends,
Welcome to the Violence Prevention Forum newsletter. On a bi-weekly basis we will be sharing research, resources, upcoming events and opportunities. We hope you find this a useful resource.
For any resources and events you'd like to share in this newsletter or queries, contact vpf@issafrica.org.
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ISS Today: SA needs stronger partnerships, not promises, to curb gender-based violence
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently declared gender-based violence a national disaster – but what does that mean in practice? While government has made important commitments, including declaring GBV a national disaster, progress is often slowed by weak collaboration, funding delays, and strained relationships with civil society
The opinion piece argues that most services for survivors are delivered by NGOs, yet these organisations are often under-supported and overstretched. It makes a clear case that ending GBV requires government, civil society and other partners to work together in a more coordinated and practical way. Building trust, sharing responsibility, and strengthening these partnerships will be key to turning commitments into real change. |
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Update: Tales of Turning, Child Online Safety Initiative
Tales of Turning has begun implementing the Child Online Safety Initiative, supported by the World Childhood Foundation. The initiative explores the risks children face online in South Africa while developing ways to help them navigate digital spaces safely. Through observational research and online engagement on platforms such as TikTok, Discord, Roblox, and gaming communities, the initiative identified risks including grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content.
Digital dialogue facilitators also engaged with public conversations on platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to encourage reflection and raise awareness about children’s digital vulnerabilities. These insights prepare for full-scale social media listening research while informing the implementation of child-led Digital School Clubs with Grade 6 and 7 learners, where workshops used storytelling and creative activities to build digital literacy, reflect on online experiences, and strengthen peer support. The initiative also produced creative social media visuals designed to spark relatable conversations about online safety. |
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Webinar: Parenting Support for Development Advocacy
Universal parenting support for child development is recognised as a national development priority in policy stemming from as early as 2015. Translating this policy into lasting change for everyone has faced challenges which government and civil society have been striving to address. To further advance and strengthen our collective efforts, The South African Parenting Programme Implementers Network (SAPPIN) and Families4Children, two leading Parenting Support advocates, invite you to this webinar, which will:
- Introduce our latest advocacy publication – Policy Brief: Parenting Support for Early Childhood Development to Achieve Transformation
- Discuss our respective advocacy initiatives to realise universal parenting support
- Explore how we can collaborate on the next steps to turn this policy commitment into reality
Date: 2 April 2026
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 (SAST)
Learn more: here
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Workshop: Healing the gender divide
Genderworks in partnership with Gender Equity and Reconciliation invites you to this two-day experiential workshop nurturing mutual understanding, respect, reconciliation and gender healing. Bringing together women and men of all sexual orientations, the workshop creates a space to deepen understanding of personal experiences while building empathy and compassion for others’ gendered journeys.
Date: 22 April 2026 - 23 April 2026
Time: 9:00-16:30 (SAST)
Location: St. Michael's Church, Rouwkoop Road, Rondebosch
For more information contact: Desireé English, desiree@grworld.org
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Town Hall number 3: Investing in the Early Years
The Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) is hosting monthly virtual town halls leading up to Investing in the Early Years: A Global Technical Financing Forum that will take place from May 6-8, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda. These virtual gatherings are designed to engage a broad range of stakeholders to shape the Forum's agenda and build interest in contributing to the application of tools and lessons that emerge from the Forum at the country level in the months following the Forum.
Target stakeholders:
- Policymakers,
- Technical staff within ministries of finance,
- Investors,
- Economists, and
- Program implementers.
Date: 25 March 2026
Time: 8:00-9:30 (EDT), 15:00 – 16:30 (EAT),17:30 – 19:00 (IST)
Learn more: here.
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Book launch: Democracy on a tightrope
The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and its partners (Open Society Foundation and the Bertha Centre) invite you to a book launch and dialogue on democratic resilience in Brazil, South Africa, and the broader African continent, and the role of civic engagement in defending democracy.
The book’s authors, Pedro Abramovay and Gabriela Lotta, will explore some of their research findings, demonstrating that balancing political legitimacy with bureaucratic expertise is essential to building an inclusive, participatory democracy that resists authoritarian drift.
Date: 26 March 2026
Time: 16:00 - 17:30 (followed by cocktail reception)
Venue: Studio 2, Neville Alexander Building, UCT Lower Campus
Get a copy of the e-book: here |
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Launch: Global Violence Prevention Network
The Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA) and the The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), with the support of Salzburg Global, are launching the Global Violence Prevention Network, a new international community of practice bringing together practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
This network will provide a space for co-learning, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration to address violence in our communities. Participants can expect an introduction to the Global Violence Prevention Network, a presentation by Lara Snowdon on bridging the gap between research and practice, and an interactive discussion to help shape the Network’s work, alongside opportunities to connect with international colleagues across sectors.
Date: 8 April 2026
Time:18:00-19:30 (SAST) |
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Call for applications: Head, Justice and Violence Prevention Programme, Institute for Security Studies
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is recruiting a Head of its Justice and Violence Prevention Programme, based in Pretoria. As a leading African policy and research organisation working to enhance human security, the ISS partners with governments, civil society and regional bodies to advance evidence-based approaches to justice, governance and violence prevention across the continent.
This senior leadership role offers an opportunity to shape and lead a key programme focused on strengthening criminal justice systems and preventing violence through research, policy engagement and partnerships. The position is suited to an experienced professional with strong leadership, research and strategic skills, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing justice and violence prevention in Africa.
Closing date: 6 April 2026
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Call for applications: Training to facilitate restorative justice processes
The RJC is offering training in the theory and practice of restorative justice. The course will enable participants to apply restorative justice principles in different settings, moving beyond simply “resolving disputes” to engage the moral, relational, and community dimensions of harm, healing, and moral learning. The course is aligned with the Accreditation Scheme of The Association of Dispute Resolution Practitioners of South Africa (ADRPSA) as training in a specialised area.
Course time is 16 hours and is envisaged for:
- 4 hours face to face on Sat morning 11 April
- 2 hours online in the evenings of 13,14,15,16 April
- 4 hours face to face on Sat morning 18 April
Costs are R2250 and will include light refreshments and soft copy materials. A certificate of competence will be issued upon completion of the course.
Closing date: 31 March 2026
For more information, contact:0722143880 mike@rjc.co.za
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Research Paper: Attempted Femicide, A Mixed Methods Approach To Deriving An Operational Definition for the Fedisa Modikologo Study, South Africa
This research paper sheds light on the hidden reality of attempted femicide, showing that many women do not always recognise when their lives are at risk. Drawing on data from over 3,700 women who experienced severe intimate partner violence, the study found that nearly one in three reported experiences consistent with attempted femicide, including strangulation, stabbing, gunshots and other life-threatening acts.
The paper proposes a clearer, evidence-based way to define and identify attempted femicide — highlighting the need to look beyond self-report and recognise patterns of severe violence that signal extreme risk. The findings underline the urgency of early identification and intervention, and the importance of strengthening responses to intimate partner violence before it escalates to fatal outcomes.
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