Recent social media analysis in South Africa highlights the potential of in-person and online dialogue to shift harmful stereotypes.

When the use of violence to deal with disputes becomes normalised, this can drive violence against children and women within the home. Evidence shows that targeting harmful cultural and social norms and helping families and communities shift them can prevent violence.

 

To mark the start of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children in South Africa, this seminar will discuss new research by Tales of Turning and the Violence Prevention Unit in the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. The social media study shows the value of investing in dialogue with young people and fostering positive gender relations grounded in respect, equality and kindness.

 

Moderator: Senzekile Bengu, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies

 

Panelists:

• Jenna-Lee Strugnell, Director, Tales of Turning
• Carmen de Vos, PACES Manager, The Parent Centre
• Seth Naicker, Associate, Heartlines and ⁠Steering Group Member, Faith Action Collective to end GBV

 

Date: 26 November 2025 

Time: 10:00 - 11:30 (SAST)

Location:  Online via Zoom 

 

Join Tales of Turning for an interactive workshop and become part of the child online safety reference group. In this practical session, we will find social media keywords together, collaborate to develop key messaging and discover insights from the Child Online Safety Exploratory Observations Report. You’ll also hear more about their Digital School Clubs. 

 

Date : 27 November 2025 

Time: 11:00- 12:30 (SAST)

 

Webinar: Return on childhood, making a compelling business case for ECD investment  

 

Join Childhood International for this global webinar designed for country leaders, policy makers, and advocates who want to use data to build a strong financial and social argument for investing in children’s early years.  

 

During the webinar, experts will dive into how to turn national ECD data into a convincing return-on-investment (ROI) narrative for businesses and governments. Participants will learn which variables matter most, see model studies, and explore practical outreach strategies to engage business leaders and policy-makers effectively. 

 

By the end of the webinar, attendees will:

• Understand why ROI is critical for mobilising business support for ECD 
• Know the key data sources and variables that make up a solid business case
• Be familiar with different ROI study types that can be replicated in their home countries
• Gain insights into engaging stakeholders with compelling, data-driven stories about the value of early childhood. 

 

2026 Planet Youth Conference: Communities leading sustainable change

 

From 6–8 May 2026, leading prevention practitioners, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers will gather in Reykjavík, Iceland, for the Planet Youth Conference. This three-day event is rooted in the proven Icelandic Prevention Model — a community-based, data-driven approach to support youth well-being, prevent substance use, and strengthen protective environments.  

 

Across the conference, attendees will hear from global speakers about how different communities are adapting the Planet Youth model to their local realities. There will also be a dedicated day to explore how Iceland itself applies the model — including insightful study visits to municipalities around Reykjavík.  

 

This is more than a conference — it’s a chance to build meaningful connections, learn from real-world examples, and co-create strategies for sustainable prevention. Whether you work in youth development, public health, or community-based organisations, this gathering offers a unique opportunity to contribute to long-term, collective action for youth well-being. Registration is now open.  

 

Dates: 6-8 May 2026 

Location: Hotel Reykjavik Grand, Iceland 

Registration is now open. 

Request for Bids: Institutional hosting of the South African Crime Quarterly (SACQ)

 

The Editorial Board of South African Crime Quarterly (SACQ) invites proposals from South African institutions or consortia to host and manage the journal. SACQ is an accredited, open-access journal that publishes policy-relevant criminological research for academic, practitioner, and policy audiences. It seeks to inform public debate and policy on crime reduction, violence prevention, and criminal justice.

 

Institutions interested in hosting SACQ should outline their vision for the journal, editorial processes, leadership and support, infrastructure, financial sustainability, and plans to maintain accreditation and audience reach. Proposals should be concise (around five pages) and include at least two referees.

 

Submissions should be emailed to Jody van der Heyde at jvanderheyde@issafrica.org.

Only shortlisted institutions will be contacted, and follow-up discussions may be held with the Editorial Board.

 

Closing Date: 10 December 2025

Funding opportunity: FemFocus 2026-2030 Grant 

 

The Government of the Netherlands has launched the FemFocus 2026–2030 policy framework, a major grant programme designed to advance women’s rights and gender equality across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and selected African regions. The framework empowers local ownership by supporting civil society organisations (CSOs) to deliver impactful services and lead transformative social change. 

 

FemFocus offers three distinct grant opportunities: 

• Women’s Entrepreneurship (€54.8 million) – supports projects in at least two African countries to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship and remove barriers to their participation in economic life.
• Combating Violence Against Women (€114.6 million) – funds initiatives focused on prevention, survivor support, and protection of women human rights defenders.
• Women, Peace and Security (€39.9 million) – enhances women’s leadership and participation in peacebuilding and addresses conflict-related sexual violence. 

 

At least 30% of all funding must go directly toward service provision, with additional support for policy dialogue, advocacy, and organisational capacity strengthening. FemFocus emphasises gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and “do no harm” principles throughout its implementation. 

 
 Closing date: 7 January 2026 (applications open now!) 
 Submission: Email applications in English to DSO-MM@minbuza.nl 

South African Child Gauge 2025: Intersections of VAC and VAW

 

The latest South African Child Gauge 2025 highlights the pervasive nature of violence affecting women and children across the country and underscores the urgent need for prevention and intervention. The report finds that nearly 24% of South African women aged 18 and older have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence, while 42% of children report maltreatment—including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or neglect—by caregivers. Community-based studies suggest the problem may be even more widespread, with some reporting that over 90% of children witness or experience household violence.

 

Beyond its social toll, violence against children carries a profound economic burden, costing nearly 5% of South Africa’s GDP. The report stresses that addressing these interconnected forms of violence is critical not only for individual wellbeing but also for the country’s long-term social and economic health. Through the lens of prevention, it calls for coordinated strategies that reach across households, communities, and institutions to reduce harm, break intergenerational cycles, and foster safe, nurturing environments for all children.

 

The Child Gauge 2025 also highlights the importance of integrated interventions that empower caregivers, strengthen community networks, and build resilience among young people. By presenting data-driven insights alongside actionable recommendations, the report serves as an essential resource for policymakers, practitioners, and civil society aiming to create a safer, healthier, and more equitable South Africa for children and adolescents.

WHO Report: Evidence for preventing Violence Against Children

 

This WHO evidence review reinforces that violence against children is preventable and that countries already have the tools needed to protect children at scale. Grounded in the INSPIRE framework, the report outlines seven proven strategies — from strengthening laws and shifting harmful norms to supporting caregivers, creating safe environments, improving economic stability, building life skills, and ensuring accessible response services.

 

The report highlights particularly strong results from small-group programmes and community-mobilisation initiatives, including bystander interventions. These programmes not only raise awareness but also actively build the skills, confidence, and conditions needed for safer behaviour. In several evaluated settings, such interventions reduced violence and harassment while increasing community willingness to intervene when children are at risk.

 

The WHO calls for renewed, multisectoral investment to scale these proven approaches. With coordinated action across health, education, social development and justice systems, countries can significantly reduce violence and strengthen the protective environments children need to thrive.