Young men address gender-based violence with new initiative

The #YoubeforeMe! initiative, aimed at reigniting the energy and motivation surrounding anti-gender-based violence efforts, was recently launched at the Green Meadows Lifestyle Village in Potchefstroom.  Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to any violent act or action directed at a person on the basis of their gender.

The #YoubeforeMe! non-profit initiative was created by Atang Swartbooi (19), a second-year law student at the North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus.

Swartbooi said the #YoubeforeMe! initiative is aimed at informing young men about issues surrounding GBV and how one can contribute to its eradication. “It was started because of my own experience dealing with gender violence and my female friends living in fear because of the increase in the number of women being abused and murdered,” Swartbooi said.

So far, the campaign consists of members creating educational content in the form of videos and posters, as well as a WhatsApp group consisting of 50 young men who discuss the causes and consequences of GBV. “We find solutions for how we can solve these problems. I have come to the realisation that education is the key to ending this issue,” Swartbooi said.

Furthermore, speaker events with the aim of educating more people, have been held. Previous speakers were: Nico Prinsloo (former Mr Campus 2019/2020), Matthew Smith (Mr Campus 2020/2021), Kgothatso Sefike (Miss South Africa Campus 2020/2021), Tshiamo Molotsane (gender violence survivor and founder of the Immaculate Agate Stone Organization), Maxwell Sabisa (student leader at North-West University) and Saki Tlotleng (founder of Banna ba Kae). 

Both the Immaculate Agate Stone Organization and Banna ba Kae are non-profit organisations focusing on encouraging government and civil society to initiate programs and services aimed at engaging men and boys in preventing GBV.

The #YoubeforeMe! initiative’s strategy is also in accordance with the Goals of Integrated Victim, Empowerment Policy issued by the Department of Social Development. This supports men and boys participating in GBV prevention campaigns, and keeps with the Draft of South African Victims Charter of Rights. 

According to Swartbooi, their educational content aligns with the National Crime Prevention Strategy of 1996 and the 1985 United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. “We want to engage men and boys in the prevention of gender-based violence and render intensive awareness programs on human rights,” he said.

An upcoming Instagram live talk taking place on 6 May, will include Adv. René Koraan (Criminal Law lecturer at the NWU) and Caylé Potgieter (Miss Campus 2020/2021). Koraan is excited to be part of this discussion and sees the cause as extremely important. “I love seeing students participate in these necessary conversations, especially when the topics can be uncomfortable,” she said in an interview.

Students can involve themselves or support this initiative by attending the events or following the #YoubeforeMe! Instagram page at @_youbeforeme.