Vision
“Understanding power, exploring diversity and enabling inclusivity” 

Mission
CSA&G recognises that a strategic and context-driven set of intervention strategies and research activities on sexualities, AIDS and gender must engage with individual behaviour dynamics, social and meaning processes, and structural enablers and barriers, to have the greatest impact. The CSA&G views gender and sexualities as key to debates and practices around an inclusive sexual citizenship, in an open society, in the context of an emerging democracy with greater calls for accountability and active citizenship. 

The Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) was established in 1999 as the Centre for the Study of AIDS (CSA). In its early years, the Centre was a standalone organisation that guided and shaped the University of Pretoria’s (UP) HIV response. The centre engaged with the communities from which staff and students are drawn, and implemented both service and research programmes. The CSA&G situate its work in both theory and practice.

The Centre is now based within UP’s Faculty of Humanities, but works across all nine UP faculties and professional services.

The CSA&G uses an intersectional approach to working with constituents around broader issues of human rights and social justice.

In the context of its history and vision, the CSA&G explores the following themes:

  • social and community justice
  • gender-based justice
  • institutional and social transformation
  • sexual and reproductive health and rights
  • sexual diversity and sexual citizenship
  • the challenges and dynamics of gender, identity, race and class
  • personal and social leadership for active citizenship and political accountability
  • meaningful community engagement and the promotion of community wellness

The CSA&G mostly funds its own work and continues to collaborate and work with local and international governments, donors, development agencies and civil society – developing a reputation for innovative thinking and work that is strengthened by organisational integrity.

The CSA&G’s work is guided by an institutional reference group comprised of representatives from most UP faculties, professional services and the Executive.