Most male acts of violence are enactments of deeper forms of structural or invisible violence, and as such, it is important to acknowledge male violence.
This was according to Dr Shahieda Jansen, clinical psychologist and author of Masculinity meets Humanity, at a recent discussion about her book as well as gender-based violence (GBV).
The discussion was hosted at the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest offices in the CG Education building at Stellenbosch University (SU) on 30 August.
“Trauma is a narrative that your brain is trying to wrap its head around,” said Dr Shahieda Jansen (pictured above), during her discussion about her book on 30 August. The discussion was held at theCentre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest offices within the CG Education building at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Liam Voorma
Changing the discourse about GBV
Invisible violence falls under the term of foundational violence, according to Jansen.
“Foundational violence is when you are not necessarily violent in a physical sense, but you attack who people are,” she said.
Foundational violence restricts individuals’ ability to meet their basic needs, said Jansen. These needs include loving themselves, raising families and generating an income, she explained.
Male acts of violence could be better understood when it is integrated with broader understandings of violence, such as foundational violence, said Jansen.
“We [tend to] erase foundational violence when we discuss GBV. We are selective in who qualifies to be traumatised, and what we define as violence,” she said.
Dr Shahieda Jansen recently published her book Masculinity meets Humanity which focuses on topics such as gender, gender-based violence and intergenerational healing within the South African context. PHOTO: Liam Voorma
Open dialogues
“By sharing the pain and suffering that shaped us as men… that means we are moving forward to transform our pain and suffering that we went through. But if we keep these emotions within ourselves then we will transfer these emotions to our young boys,” said Xolile Pro Zulani, a panellist at the discussion, who works at the Alternative to Violence Project (AVP).
AVP is a conflict resolution management plan which focuses on communication, cooperative community building, empathy, and affirmation, stated Zulani.
“Healing requires bonding and relationships, and for one to form a circle,” said Jansen.
Various psychologists and social workers attended the recent discussion on Dr Shahieda Jansen’s new book Masculinity meets Humanity. The event was held on 30 August at TheCentre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest offices within the CG Education building at Stellenbosch University. Panellists included (from left to right) Xolile Pro Zulani, Thandile Ngxikwe, Dr Shahieda Jansen, Kate Woode-Smith, Charisma Mdunyelwa and Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk. PHOTO: Liam Voorma