South African women are facing gender-based violence (GBV) in alarming numbers, as 16 Days of Activism approaches.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign is a United Nations campaign that takes place annually from November 25 until December 10.
The Human Sciences Resource Council (HSRC) last week revealed that in 2022, over a third of South African women were abused or faced physical violence, which is a national disgrace and scandal pointing to a severe lack of action by the government to protect South Africans from this heinous crime.
The study conducted by the HSRC in 2022 and presented to the Minister of Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, shows that at least seven million women in South Africa have experienced physical violence, while more than two million women have survived sexual abuse.
It paints a grim picture of the rampant abuse. Sexual violence has affected 9.8% of women, and younger women bear the brunt of this scourge, with physical violence most prevalent among women aged 18 to 39.
Reacting to the findings, EFF said the statistics expose the violent reality that women live with daily in this country, a reality that is exacerbated by the government’s persistent failures to address this crisis.
“The study also reveals that these attacks are not isolated incidents but a reflection of deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and systemic failures that enable such violence. Despite these alarming figures, the government’s response has been abysmal.
“Tokenistic measures like the passing of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill have amounted to little more than empty gestures,” said EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys.
DA national spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, said these figures represent human lives destroyed by GBV but only represent women who have spoken out, while many continue to live in silence and fear.
Khakhau said despite national efforts to combat GBV in successive administrations, the government’s actions have clearly been insufficient, and more must be urgently done to protect South African women.
She said although the National Council on Gender-Based Violence Act took effect on November 15 this year, the DA calls for its work to begin urgently.
“Not a day is available for delay, and we will closely monitor its work,” said Khakhau.
She said the Council constituted to provide a whole-of-society approach to gender-based violence, must provide workable plans of action to combat the demon that GBV has shown itself to be, and must address the nation on these as soon as possible
“The DA will work to have this moral imperative addressed seriously to restore dignity to South Africa and all women,” she said.
The HSRC made key recommendations that the Department of Health undertakes a review of available mental health services, which must be strengthened; that in schools, children are further educated on consent and types of behaviour that are unacceptable and must be reported; that economically the country addresses gender inequality, particularly as black women face the worst unemployment rate of any demographic, and that law enforcement protections are strengthened, with legal processes expedited.
Abongile Allessing, a victim of GBV, expressed her profound disappointment with the South African justice system after her attacker, her sister’s boyfriend who went to their home in a quest to allegedly attack his girlfriend, received a mere two-year sentence on Tuesday.
Allessing now struggles with mobility.
“The 16 Days of Activism should serve as a reminder that there is still much work to be done to address issues of GBV. And to acknowledge the fact that the justice system is not doing what we expect as victims and survivors. As someone who has experienced violence, my voice and perspective are invaluable in shaping the conversation around GBV.
“While it may be painful to relive my experiences, sharing my story can help raise awareness, inspire change, and support others who have gone through similar traumas,” said Allessing.
Thato One Big Family LGBTQI+ Society founder, Makhosazana Buthelezi, said they will start observing the campaign on December 1 which is also World Aids Day, they will host a dialogue where youths and parents will be in the same place at Bophelong Empilweni Community Centre in Tembisa Ekurhuleni.
“Remember patients don’t know some of the things about the community, most of the time they are unable to attend workshops since they are at work. We are going to use this opportunity as an organisation.
“We will also educate them about LGBTQI pillars which talk about gender orientation and economics which lead to more cases of GBV. There had been instances where parents beat up their children for being gay or women relying on men to live, they tend to live in relationships even though men abuse them,” said Buthelezi.
The Star