The End GBVF 100-Day Challenge at West Coast TVET College is now complete. This project was part of a national drive to accelerate action against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Its focus was ‘Breaking the Silence’. The goal was to increase awareness and strengthen support mechanisms institutionally. This report details the key achievements, lessons learned, and next steps for sustainable transformation.

Quantifying the shift: 100-day outcomes

The Challenge produced clear, measurable results across all areas. Direct support was provided to more than 10 survivors. This included counselling, mentorship, and legal aid. The College also recorded 25 GBVF-related cases. These involved assault, rape, and bullying.

Capacity building efforts saw 585 students complete specialized training. Overall, over 250 participants engaged directly in events. To strengthen collaboration, the College formalised 11 key partnerships with external stakeholders. Partners include SAPS, NGOs, and the Western Cape Department of Health. Digitally, the social media effort was significant. The campaign reached 40,000 accounts and recorded over 560,000 total post views.

Mobilizing Action: How Progress Was Built

This progress resulted from dedicated, collective action across all campuses and communities. The College established Committees across five campuses. These included over 50 active staff and student members. Awareness was driven through workshops led by trained professionals and NGOs.

Symbolic activities fostered open dialogue. These included Doekkie Fridays and solidarity events. Key events generated significant momentum. This culminated in the flagship GBVF March. Operational structures were strengthened by launching a dedicated GBVF reporting email. Finally, leadership successfully developed a draft GBVF Strategy. This formally initiated policy and reform processes for the institution.

Lessons from the Field: Addressing Operational Hurdles

The team encountered operational challenges during the 100 days. These provided crucial insights for improvement and refinement.

The team identified that scheduling and documentation were sometimes inconsistent. This confirmed the need for both centralised coordination and a clear communications calendar. The College also learned that standardised data collection tools are essential for future monitoring.

Participation was limited outside of the main flagship activities. To address this, the College will appoint departmental GBVF Ambassadors. These champions will ensure active engagement and accountability across all departments. Finally, the need to formalise partner accountability was clear. Experience highlighted that Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are critical to strengthen stakeholder commitment moving forward.

The Path Forward: Institutionalizing Change

The 100-Day Project successfully created visible commitment and momentum. To ensure long-term impact, the College will now focus on institutionalisation. GBVF initiatives will be formally embedded within College policy. A detailed 12-month implementation plan will be developed next. This plan will include clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The College will formalise all stakeholder partnerships using MOUs. Continued trauma-informed training will be enhanced and expanded. This collective commitment ensures a safer and more supportive environment for everyone at West Coast TVET College.