South Africa: GBVF School Club

Resoketswe Lebjane Foundation established the GBVF School Club to empower adolescent girls in rural Bushbuckridge, where gender‑based violence is common and often normalised. Many girls experience abuse at home and struggle to recognise violations of their rights. The GBVF School Club offers them a safe space to learn, share experiences, and gain tools to prevent and report abuse.

Through workshops on GBV, human rights, and self‑defence, the club helps learners understand their rights and how to seek help. Mentors guide sessions, while teachers support participation and create an environment where girls feel seen and valued. Peer‑to‑peer education enables learners to teach others about healthy relationships, respect, and empathy. Awareness campaigns—led by the girls—spread messages of safety, dignity, and resilience across the school community.

Interactive drama sessions and scenario‑based learning help learners understand complex situations and build empathy. As confidence grows, girls begin to open up, ask questions, and share their experiences. The school environment, previously marked by silence and fear, is gradually transforming into one of inclusion and support.

The club’s impact is evident at Maswameni and Sedibeng Primary Schools, where cases of bullying and GBV have decreased. Learners now advocate for one another, standing up against abuse and promoting a culture of human rights. Some girls participated in an educational trip to the Mbombela legislature, where they learned about laws that protect them and the importance of civic engagement.

The programme not only supports learners emotionally but also addresses practical needs. Many girls from poor households receive sanitary pads and psychosocial support. Parents and teachers have joined the movement, recognising the role they play in protecting and uplifting young people.

Looking forward, the Foundation aims to expand the programme to more schools, strengthen partnerships, and introduce bullying policies and referral systems for psychosocial support. By equipping learners with leadership skills and encouraging peer‑led initiatives, the GBVF School Club continues to build a generation of confident, empowered young women committed to ending GBV in their communities.

Quotes

Tharollo Chachi The GBVF School Club helped me find my voice. I no longer feel alone, and I am proud to stand up for my rights and the rights of others.

Heart Mtileni Before, I did not know what GBV was or how it affected me. Now I know how to recognise it and how to stop it.

Nonkululeko Maboa Seeing my students transform into confident, empathetic young leaders has been the most rewarding experience of my career. The GBVF School Club has given them a platform to speak out and support one another.