NWU Vanderbijlpark launches GBVF empowerment centre

VANDERBIJLPARK - The North-West University’s Vanderbijlpark Campus has opened its first Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Empowerment Centre. It is a safe space offering survivors psychosocial support, legal assistance, survivor-centred reporting, and advocacy. Developed in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Sonke Gender Justice, Higher Health, and international collaborators, the centre blends global best practices with local realities. Project lead Ujeet Maharaj said it was built “from the ground up” with community input and lived experiences. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele praised the initiative as “trend-setting” and a firm commitment to safety, dignity, and justice. The centre also forms part of the upcoming University Networks of Impact (UNI), an international alliance set to launch in 2025 to fight GBVF through research and collaboration. NWU leaders and partners describe the centre as more than a service point, it is a space for healing, education, and advocacy, marking a proactive step against gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.