Every year between 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) and 10 December (International Human Rights Day), the United Nations campaign, 16 Days of Activism for Women and Children, takes place. This campaign is aimed at encouraging society to acknowledge that violence against women and children is not a government or criminal justice system problem, but a societal problem. If the problem cannot be recognised within society, the chances to eradicated gender-based violence will forever be a fruitless exercise.
Unfortunately, gender-based violence has experienced an upward surge during the national Coronavirus lockdown in South Africa and is continuing to spike. The brutal murder of a woman and her five children in the Eastern Cape during the 16 Days of Activism campaign has sent even more disturbing shock waves through our country. The woman and her children, all aged between six months and ten years of age were all hacked to death with an axe in their home. This is only one of the countless horrific incidents that South Africans have read about during the last year.Â
When it comes to accurate statistics around GBV, it is almost as difficult to obtain as the logical explanation for where the COVID relief fund has gone… Population-based surveys, however, show very high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual violence (SV) in particular, with IPV being the most common form of violence against women. Some shocking stats below:
- More than half of all the women murdered (56%) in 2009 were killed by an intimate male partner.
- Between 25% and 40% of South African women have experienced sexual and/or physical IPV in their lifetime.
- Just under 50% of women report having ever experienced emotional or economic abuse at the hands of their intimate partners in their lifetime.
- Prevalence estimates of rape in South Africa range between 12% and 28% of women ever reporting being raped in their lifetime.
- Between 28 and 37% of adult men report having raped a woman.
- South Africa also faces a high prevalence of gang rape.
- Most men who rape do so for the first time as teenagers and almost all men who ever rape do so by their mid-20s.
- There is limited research into rape targeting women who have sex with women. One study across four Southern African countries, including South Africa, found that 31.1% of women reported having experienced forced sex.
With all of the above-mentioned, we know that GBV is a major problem in South Africa but what is actually being done, and how we do fix the fact that young boys are becoming more and more abusive?
- Tackle violence against girls in schools
It is estimated that 246 million girls and boys are harassed and abused on their way to, and at school every year, with girls being particularly vulnerable. Learners often gain a lot of confidence in counselling sessions at school. It is worthwhile to invest in a qualified and hands-on school counsellor.
- Listen to girls’ experiences of violence – and their solutions
We can only tackle gender-based violence if we listen to girls’ experiences and respond to their needs.
- Help make girls’ journeys to school a lot safer
Underprivileged communities struggle a lot more when it comes to travelling to school safely. South Africa needs to seriously up its game when it comes to transport and keeping girls safe on their route to school.
- Connect specialists and at-risk communities
Poverty and sexual violence are rife in rural areas. Rape cases are often ignored and convictions rarely made, while some communities feel their only option is to settle their case by a traditional justice system that can victimise those attacked.
- Protect girls who face additional risks during emergencies
Because of their gender and age, disasters and conflict increase girls’ vulnerability. This puts them at an increased risk of rape, abuse, and harmful practices. Child-protection interventions during emergencies must take into account the additional risks faced by girls and provide support that will help them avoid abuse and violence.
It’s time to take a stand Mr President, GBV can no longer just be addressed in a sugar-coated state of the nation address. Actions speak louder than words!
