A Stellenbosch University (SU) alumna recently started a female-centered initiative to support female prisoners at Worcester Correctional Centre through educational, hygiene and creative goods and materials donations.
This is according to Caitlin Lee, the founder of the Behind Her Gates initiative, who said that the needs of women in prisons are very different from that of men.
“There’s a significant lack of tools for women,” said Lee. “It’s important to not completely erase [their] sense of humanity.”
The Behind Her Gates initiative was launched on 21 March in honour of Human Rights Day and International Women’s Month, and is in partnership with the Ubuntu Learning Community – a Stellenbosch University (SU) based ‘education in prison’ initiative, according to Lee.
Caitlin Lee (left), founder of the Behind Her Gates initiative, and Vuyolwethu Nqiwa (right), assistant for the Behind Her Gates initiative. Both Lee and Nqiwa are Ubuntu Learning Community alumni. “This drive is the beginning of what we hope will spiral into people joining us in any capacity, in any way that they feel in their hearts could help women on the inside,” said Lee. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
“We hope to alleviate the indignity of women who have inadequate access to essential hygiene products in prison, as well as give those who wish to further their education while incarcerated hope that this dream can be realised,” said Dr Mary Nel, director of Ubuntu Learning Community, and senior lecturer of Public Law at SU.
The initiative seeks to restore dignity, create a healing and reflective space and encourage growth and education for female prisoners through donations from SU students and the greater Stellenbosch public. This is according to a collaborative post on instagram by Lee and Ubuntu Learning Community.
Repairing harm through Ubuntu and justice
Ubuntu Learning Community – housed at SU’s law faculty – promotes social justice and the “re-humanising” of prisoners through an interdisciplinary program, which consists of 20 SU students studying alongside 20 incarcerated “students”, said Lee.
“You get to sit with [the prisoners] in a classroom setting. We did law, economics, literature, and history,” said Vuyolwethu Nqiwa, Ubuntu Learning Community alumni and Behind Her Gates assisting member. “So, you get to see the person, not just the person in prison.”
“Ubuntu applies to everyone, no matter what they’ve done,” said Lee, referring to the Nguni word meaning “I am because we are”, which is a philosophy emphasizing interconnectedness, compassion and collective responsibility.
Behind Her Gates was launched on 21 March in honour of Human Rights Day and International Women’s Month, according to Caitlin Lee, founder of the initiative, which hopes to donate items received from the Stellenbosch community to Worcester Correctional Center after 23 April. The correctional center has a capacity of about 324 inmates, according to recent statistics released in 2024, according to Lee. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
Ubuntu Learning Community (founded in 2019) seeks to uphold the rights of incarcerated individuals behind bars, according to Nel.
“The law only deprives incarcerated individuals of their right to freedom of movement,” said Nel. “All other rights, including human dignity, health and the right to education, remain intact.”
Donations may be dropped off at the Juridical Society’s (JVS) offices in Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Law until 23 April. This is according to a collaborative Instagram post by Ubuntu Learning Community and Caitlin Lee, the founder of the Behind Her Gates initiative. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
The initiative calls for donations of stationery, sanitary ware and hygiene essentials, which can be dropped off at SU’s law faculty until 23 April, said Lee.