Parents and the gender and sexual violence assemblage in a rural school

Abstract

ABSTRACT In South Africa, where gender and sexual violence remain prevalent, this study examines parents’ experiences of and involvement in gender and sexual prevention within a rural primary school setting. In the context of racialised inequalities, socio-economic marginalisation and gendered structures of power, the parents constitute black female caregivers who bear the burden of gendered poverty and are on the frontline in negotiating their children’s safety in school. Data collection involved 3 focus group discussions with 15 parents, all with children enrolled at the primary school. Employing a new feminist materialist analysis, the study addressed the interconnectedness of all matter within the gender and sexual violence assemblage. Findings revealed a continuum of violence from corridors to classrooms, with instances of sexual harassment, sexualised touching and grooming. Participants’ narratives highlighted the challenges they faced in navigating institutional responses. Despite these challenges, parents challenge deficit-based narratives and demand accountability from educational authorities. By amplifying the voices of black rural women, the study directs attention to the need to foster collaborative partnerships between parents and schools in advocating for gender transformation, justice and care.