ABSTRACT

South Africa contends with gender-based violence (GBV) and its societal consequences. This study, therefore, engages with discussions around reflective writing as a participatory methodology to foster free and inclusive expression on issues around GBV in South Africa. My study proffers a diverse response by exploring how participatory research and assessment approaches, through reflective writing as a pedagogical practice, serve as viable premises to further debates on opposing acts of violence. It discusses the feasibility of reflective writing as a tool for articulating and understanding human views on GBV. I also evaluate how creating a safe and anonymous space through reflective writing influences how issues on GBV are perceived. I achieve these using a qualitative research approach and applying a thematic method of data analysis. The story of Fatmata and Mohamed and the poem I got flowers today were the literary pieces used as a springboard for the written reflections analysed in the study. Results indicate that students found it easier to communicate through written reflections rather than publicly speaking about their perceptions of GBV. Their reflections became tools for expression. This can be advantageous for public engagement and a call to action on GBV.

摘要

南非与基于性别的暴力 (GBV) 及其社会后果作斗争。因此，本研究围绕反思性写作作为一种参与式方法进行讨论，以促进南非围绕 GBV 问题的自由和包容性表达。我的研究通过探索参与式研究和评估方法，通过反思性写作作为一种教学实践，作为进一步讨论反对暴力行为的可行前提，提供了多样化的回应。它讨论了反思性写作作为表达和理解人类对 GBV 观点的工具的可行性。我还评估了通过反思性写作创建一个安全和匿名的空间如何影响对 GBV 问题的看法。我使用定性研究方法并应用数据分析的主题方法来实现这些。Fatmata 和 Mohamed 的故事以及《今天我得到鲜花》这首诗是用作研究中分析的书面反思跳板的文学作品。结果表明，学生发现通过书面反思进行交流比公开谈论他们对 GBV 的看法更容易。他们的反思成为表达的工具。这可能有利于公众参与和呼吁针对 GBV 采取行动。