As part of the Violence Prevention Forum’s ongoing sharing of evidence and practice-based knowledge, the third webinar in 2025 brought together researchers and practitioners to reflect on what works to prevent violence and strengthen communities under the title “Investing in youth wellbeing can break cycles of substance abuse.” The session explored how supporting young people early — through families, schools and communities — can reduce risks linked to substance use, violence and long-term harm.

 

The conversation highlighted that strengthening youth wellbeing, connection, and opportunity is central to safer communities, and that prevention efforts are most effective when grounded in local realities and supported by long-term partnerships. The discussion reinforced a hopeful message: breaking cycles of harm is possible when we invest deliberately in young people and the systems that support them.

 

Join IJR, Tales of Turning, SCAT and ACCORD in this webinar for practical insights into the upcoming elections. The session will unpack emerging election narratives, discuss early warning systems, demonstrate dialogue-based tools that reduce the spread of harmful content, and share how civil society organisations can build long-term digital peacebuilding capacity beyond elections.

 

 

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town and the Institute for Security Studies are offering this custom-designed leadership course to enable collaborative relationships across government and civil society stakeholders working to address domestic violence and rape. This course builds leadership capacity to facilitate systemic change and ensure equitable, appropriate, quality services for survivors and their families.

 

The learning journey is practical and experiential, fostering critical and strategic thinking, problem-solving, and relationship building to strengthen collaboration. The ultimate intention is to ensure survivors receive compassionate, linked-up services.

 

Target audience
This course is designed for middle and top management officials in government (South African Police Services, Department of Justice, National Prosecuting Authority, Department of Health, Department of Social Development), NGOs, and funding institutions in the GBV sector.

 

Closing date: 13 February 2026 at 16:00 (SAST)

Read more: here

 

Successful candidates will be notified by email by 13 March 2026.

For queries, please contact: veleska.maphike@uct.ac.za   

Call for applications: Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies

 

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is recruiting a new Executive Director to lead the organisation’s next phase of strategic growth and impact across Africa. As a leading policy and research institution focused on crime prevention, justice, governance and security, the ISS works with governments, civil society and regional partners to advance evidence-based solutions for safer societies. This role offers an opportunity to shape the organisation’s vision, strengthen partnerships and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, policy-relevant research.

 

The position is ideal for a values-driven leader with strong experience in research, policy engagement and organisational management, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing safety, justice and good governance across Africa.

 

Closing date: 20 February 2026 

Submit Application here: pretoriajobs@issafrica.org

 

Ilifa Labantwana is recruiting a Senior Project Lead to drive innovative financing and systems solutions in South Africa’s early childhood development (ECD) sector. The organisation works to ensure all children have access to quality ECD services that support caregivers, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to a more equitable society. This role will focus on designing and leading projects that improve how ECD is funded and delivered, working closely with government and sector partners to turn evidence into practical, scalable solutions.

 

The position is for an experienced professional with strong analytical and project management skills, a solid understanding of South Africa’s public sector, and a commitment to advancing early childhood development at a systems level. The role is preferably based in Cape Town, with flexibility for Johannesburg or Pretoria.

 

Closing date: 20 February 2026

Read more: here 

Research Paper: Associations between adverse childhood experiences and substance use, a meta-analysis

 

This research highlights how children’s experiences of violence and adversity are closely linked to later outcomes across health, behaviour and relationships. Drawing on longitudinal evidence, the study shows how exposure to maltreatment and harmful environments can shape development over time, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability that extend into adolescence and adulthood.

 

The findings add to a growing body of evidence showing that prevention must begin early and remain sustained across childhood. Interventions that strengthen caregiving, support families, and address broader social risks can reduce harm and improve long-term wellbeing.