The Urgent Call for Action: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in South Africa
THE NEED
In South Africa, despite significant strides in nationwide initiatives and progressive constitutional measures aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV), a harsh reality persists, casting a pervasive shadow over countless lives and communities.
Statistics reveal the stark reality of South Africa’s battle against GBV; termed the “rape capital of the world,” the nation witnessed a staggering 10,818 reported rape cases in the first quarter of 2022 alone. Shockingly, the rate of women killed by intimate partners in South Africa is five times higher than the global average (1). These figures underscore the pressing need for intervention and prevention initiatives to address GBV effectively. With Sustainable Development Goal 5 aiming to achieve gender equality and to empower all women and girls by 2030, urgent action is required to tackle this crisis and protect the most vulnerable members of society.
The effects of GBV and crime extend far beyond the immediate acts, profoundly affecting individuals and communities alike. GBV, in its various forms, inflicts enduring harm, negatively impacting women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health (2). Additionally, GBV poses a significant economic burden; in 2019, estimates revealed that South Africa incurred losses exceeding R36 billion in medical expenses, human capital, and judicial costs as a result of gender-based violence (3). Persistent public attitudes, political inertia, and institutional challenges serve to entrench GBV, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative efforts to confront and eradicate these pervasive issues.
The need for interventions and programmes addressing GBV and crime in South Africa is clear. The stark statistics and profound impacts underscore the urgency of comprehensive efforts to prevent, address, and eliminate gender-based violence. It is important for all stakeholders, including NGOs, to actively contribute to raising awareness and providing support to victims of GBV and crime.
OUR APPROACH
Our Empilweni! Thriving Communities Programme adopts a dual approach that recognises the need for both preventative measures and victim support.
Aligned with South Africa’s National Action Plan to End Gender Violence, which underscores the necessity of preventive measures like increasing awareness and education about GBV, as well as challenging harmful gender norms, our programme places prevention at the forefront. Each year, we conduct GBV workshops reaching hundreds of community members, aiming to educate and raise awareness about the root causes and dynamics of GBV and crime. These workshops specifically target masculinity within the context of GBV, engaging groups of men within the community as active participants in combating GBV.
This approach acknowledges the vital role men play in addressing GBV Beyond prevention, our programme extends crucial support to victims of gender-based violence and crime. Our team of social workers, trained in the trauma-informed approach, provide counselling, home visits, referrals and safety planning, ensuring survivors receive the comprehensive assistance they need to navigate their recovery journey.
Our emphasis on psychosocial support services recognises the profound impact of trauma on survivors’ mental and physical well-being. By offering a holistic support network, we empower individuals to break free from the cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.
(1) Https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10091185
(3) Https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350337072_The_Prevalence_of_Gender-Based_Violence_against_Women_in_South_Africa_A_Call_for_Action
