The GHJRU runs a comprehensive internship programme aimed at equipping young activists and scholars with skills, knowledge and experience in the field of gender-based violence. The programme runs throughout the year and draws a range of students, including both undergraduate and graduate students.

Successful applicants have already shown themselves to have an interest in the promotion of women’s human rights - and particularly the right to be free from violence - through the activities they have engaged in prior to applying. Most have a specific interest in criminal justice policy and public health. The majority aim to continue working in this sector after they have graduated.

Interns apply either directly to the Unit or through a partnership arrangement with their university. In the past we have been privileged to host outstanding young scholars from Stanford’s Haas Centre for Public Interest, the University of Michigan Law School’s externship programme, Stanford and Yale Law Schools’ summer public interest funding programmes and the New York University School of Public Health. The outstanding students provided by these programmes mean that our summers are extremely productive times!

Interns also apply to work at the Unit on an ad hoc basis and these applications are considered throughout the year. Such internships range from 10 weeks to a year. All interns participate fully in the work and activities of the Unit. These internships are unpaid and interns must be sure that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves for the internship period. To access a guide on living in Cape Town for an internship click here

The GHJRU internship is focussed on three key areas: knowledge, skills and networking.

Knowledge:  As an intern, you will work closely with the staff at the Unit on the Unit’s current projects. Previous and ongoing projects include: a qualitative study of women in South African prisons; monitoring of the Sexual Offences Act; a study of attrition in domestic violence cases; training of police officers, health care workers, and magistrates on issues related to sexual offences; analyses of harmful HIV/AIDS-related sexual conduct; analysis of state responses to gang-related rapes; the development of integrated medical, legal and psychosocial management of rape cases; and a study of the utility of specialised police, prosecution and court services for survivors of gender-based violence.

How you spend your time at the Unit will depend on your own institution’s requirements, like writing a paper on a specific subject, as well as on the Unit’s operational requirements. If you come to the Unit with a requirement from your own institution, that project will take up approximately half of your time at the Unit. The other half of your time will be spent providing ad hoc research support to various projects in the Unit, thus allowing you to broaden your knowledge in other areas. If you do not have such a project, you will be assigned to spend roughly half your time on a particular Unit project, and the other half of your time will be spent on ad hoc research support.

Skills:  We place a substantial emphasis on the development of research skills, coupled with intensive one-on-one supervision. Working within an interdisciplinary environment, you’ll be exposed to a range of methodologies and, depending on the projects you work on, you may be involved with legal research, interviewing various criminal justice or health sector professionals, observational work in police stations, hospitals or courts, transcription, and document analysis. As an example of some of the interesting work Unit interns have done in the past, in 2007 and 2008 a number of interns participated in Parliamentary hearings on the Sexual Offences Act, observing Parliamentary Committee hearings, and researching and drafting submissions to the Committee on key areas of law reform. You will also be expected to assist with administrative tasks, such as printing and photocopying, answering phones, editing, running errands and occasionally making coffee. The Unit is a small place, with no dedicated administrator, and all staff members do their share to keep things running smoothly. The kinds of activities that you will take part in will depend on the research activities underway at the time of your internship.

Networking:  As an intern, the GHJRU will provide you with access to our networks of scholars and activists in South Africa working on issues surrounding violence against women. Where appropriate, we will facilitate your access to key government figures, including members of Parliament and government officials. We aim to select interns who we believe have the potential to play a leading role in addressing violence against women globally, and within the South African context. We hope to develop a lasting professional relationship with you by providing access to resources and networks to develop your skills as a researcher and advocate. We are committed to facilitating your understanding not only of the realities of women’s lives in South Africa, but also of the remarkable people who work to improve the quality of life for women and their families.

Benefits of the GHJRU Internship Programme

• Full participation in the Unit’s activities through a programme designed to meet your interests and needs, thereby ensuring your full exposure to the socio-legal issues surrounding violence against women.
  
  
• Ability to gain practical experience while working in a relaxed and supportive environment.
  
  
• Access to computers, internet, and to the UCT libraries and resources.
  
  
• Opportunity to network with other interns and professionals from a wide range of fields.
  
  
• Opportunity to work closely with a mentor who will assist you with your projects.
  
  
• Upon successful completion of your internship, the opportunity to receive a letter of reference and support for your academic and/or professional portfolio.