Dual Epidemic Dialogue: GBV and HIV/AIDS
- Johané
- 14 minutes ago
- 5 min read
16 Days of Activism is in full swing and will end on the 10th of December 2025. Whilst in the thick of this campaign of no violence against women and children, the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus hosted a breakfast dialogue on Monday, 1 December, with various role players to address a dual epidemic that has been casting a shadow on South Africa for nearly two decades: Gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.
“We are stakeholders in our community; we cannot be observers anymore.”
There were esteemed speakers who made up the panel, all with very impressive backgrounds and real-life experiences. Some felt the need to share their stories to emphasise just how important it is for communities to understand the effect that these actions have on victims.
An impressive panel
Led by MC, Lerato Mdaka, each panelist had the opportunity to share their real-world experiences with those in attendance. The group of experts were made up of the following individuals:
Mrs Chrisna Nicholson (Director, NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic)
Mrs Hannie Stevenson (HIV Activist)
Dr Annah Mabunda (Manager: Clinical Forensic Medical Services, Ekurhuleni Health District)
Dr Nokwanda Edith Bam (Senior Lecturer: NWU Health Sciences, School of Nursing)
Magistrate Viglia Bester (Head of Office: Fochville Magistrate Court).
Gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS are an intertwined, dual epidemic in South Africa. In some cases victims of GBV end up contracting HIV/AIDS, which leads to further shame, stigmatisation and inequality. One speaker presented the question: Why are we not treating HIV/AIDS the same as any other illness? Many individuals living with this virus are not getting treatment nor medication, which begs the question: Why?
Kagiso Masilo, Director of the Undergraduate Programme at the NWU School of Law, informed attendees that three centres have been established throughout all three North-West University campuses to support victims of gender-based violence, as well as those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. These centres support both mental and physical health. “If we take it upon ourselves to show communities how to respond and communicate effectively, hopefully there will be a mindshift within community members.”
Victims and patients need to be educated
Mrs Hannie Stevenson, owner and founder of Hope Through My Journey, encouraged those in attendance with the following: “Healing begins when you stop fearing your story, and start owning your story.” She reiterated that there is a stigma attached to people who live with HIV/AIDS and mentioned that education around this virus needs to be integrated alongside treatment. Upon diagnosis, patients can be overwhelmed and not know where to start, and this is why Mrs Stevenson said “let’s educate in a manner that patients understand”, so that these individuals have a clear understanding of what they need to do and what the road ahead looks like.
Rooted in the same poison
Magistrate Viglia Bester was the next speaker, and boy did she give the audience something to ponder on. “Today, we gather not only to speak, but to break the cycles that have weighed heavily on our nation. Every day women and children live in fear of those who should be protecting them.” Furthermore she said that GBV is not just a crime, it is the betrayal of humanity. It strips away dignity, it destroys limits and families, and it leaves scars that last a lifetime.
Both gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS create cycles of trauma and vulnerability. Another injustice is that those who live with HIV/AIDS experience unethical and unlawful treatment in society, from being judged by family members to being bullied in the workplace. This causes victim abuse trauma, both in violence and stigma, and both of these challenge us, as custodians of justice, to step up. “We must ensure that survivors are heard, victims are protected and justice is not delayed - not just on legal professionals, but on the community as a whole. We need to create [safe] spaces in schools, homes, and workplaces.”
Gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS stigma are rooted in the same poison - silence, stigma and inequality. Both rob people of their humanity and thrive when we look away, but this ís our problem. It’s the problem of every parent who wants their child to grow up safe, it’s the problem of every community, it’s the problem of every South African who believes in the promise of freedom. She went on to quote former president Nelson Mandela:
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Never tell anyone to simply leave
One of the most striking comments came from Dr Annah Mabunda on the day. Born in Potchefstroom, she grew up in Ikageng and, like many other children, she had to walk from home to Lebogang Primary School on a daily basis. She can still remember where to walk during winter so that your feet would get the most sun. Dr Annah Mabunda is a prime example of someone who rose above her circumstances. She now lives in Johannesburg and is excelling at her work as Manager at the Clinical Forensic Medical Services in the Ekurhuleni Health District.
She stated that we should never advise anyone to leave or walk away from an abusive relationship. “Sometimes we force women to talk, and after they’ve spoken, we don’t even assist them or support them to navigate (and/or exit) that relationship. We need to realise that it’s not easy to leave a violent relationship. There are many reasons why women choose to stay in abusive relationships.”
In her study, Dr Mabunda found that many of these abused women have nowhere else to go should they choose to step away from the relationship. It is factors like these that need to be taken into account before advising anyone to leave a relationship.
“I cannot over-emphasise the fact that we need to build close relationships with police, social services and courts, as health care professionals alone will never be able to bridge this gap. We also need the community to be a part of this. What gives me hope is that we have overcome many issues as a country. Let’s all come together to fight against this epidemic. Let’s try and strive to make this country a better place.”
A word of thanks
After the speakers took to the podium, the floor was opened for a Question & Answer session. Various attendees shared their stories and expressed their gratitude towards the experts, whilst others asked interesting questions. All in all, it was a very successful morning for all parties.
A word of thanks goes out to the organisers of this event, as well as the panelists who took the time to speak about this important issue. All in attendance left the building with a new found respect, empowerment and encouragement to step out, speak up and truly make a difference in the lives of victims of gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.
“No more silence. No more shame. Together we can build a South Africa where dignity is not a privilege, but a right. Where compassion is stronger than stigma, where freedom is not just written in our Constitution or quoted by leaders, but lives in our homes, schools and hearts. The time is now and the responsibility is ours.”
______________________________
Johané van Dyk - Potchefstroom
A few photos of the day
*Image credit to The Gazette & NWU Faculty of Law
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