South Africa: Tackling Violence against Women and Girls

A recent report by the Human Sciences Research Council highlights the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, underscoring the need for immediate action.

Development Diaries reports that according to the report, more than one in three women (36 percent), said they experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, while 24 percent reported experiencing violence by an intimate partner.

The findings highlight a huge crisis, which has a devastating impact.

These figures paint a stark picture of systemic inequality, emphasising the urgent need for government action to address the root causes of GBV and its far-reaching consequences.

The study’s findings also expose harmful gender norms that fuel male dominance and aggression, with nearly 70 percent of men surveyed asserting that wives should obey their husbands and 15 percent justifying punitive measures against them.

It is worrying because such beliefs promote cycles of violence and also create an environment where survivors are often silenced and perpetrators go unchallenged.

The widespread misconception about rape is especially concerning, as a significant number of men think that women are frequently at fault or that the crime is not committed if there is no resistance.

Also, particularly troubling is the pervasive misunderstanding surrounding rape, with significant percentages of men believing that women are often to blame or that lack of resistance invalidates the crime.

These attitudes demand immediate, targeted public education campaigns to dismantle dangerous myths and foster gender equity.

Furthermore, the fact that 31 percent of women with disabilities reported having experienced physical or sexual violence raises serious concerns about their increased vulnerability.

This emphasises the necessity for inclusive GBV interventions that take into account all women, regardless of ability, and the intersecting kinds of discrimination that marginalised groups are faced with.

More importantly, the lack of comprehensive data on this issue until now indicates a historical neglect that must be urgently addressed through accessible support services and policies tailored to the unique needs of women with disabilities.

As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence begins, Development Diaries calls on South Africa’s Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to quicken the implementation of the 2020 National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide.

We also call on the government to promptly establish a coordinating body to address GBV as required under the 2024 National Council on GBV and Femicide Act.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

About the Author