GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: A NATIONAL DEBACLE

Image: Sanele Gumede,  DUT student holding a banner that creates awareness on women abuse.

By: Sandile Lukhozi

Abuse aimed at women is seemingly a national crisis in South Africa. Whether it is rape, sexual harassment, or a husband’s explosion of rage, violence is so common that few lives have been left untouched by it.

According to a research conducted by Medical research council of South Africa and Centre for Public Mental Health, every eight hours (on average), a woman dies at the hands of an intimate partner in South Africa.

Furthermore, 36-40% of pregnant women experience physical Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and 15-19% experience sexual IPV. The violence increases the risk for the baby, which could be born pre-term and with a low birth weight.

While many people may see GBV as a new trend in South Africa due to the recent outbreak of media coverage on women abuse, the reality is it’s nothing new in our country.

A damning report by the South African demographics and Health survey for 2016, revealed that one in five women has ever experienced physical violence by their partner. The report found that younger women are more likely to report physical violence to the police, while divorced or separated women are more to have experienced physical violence in their lives.

According to SAPS crime statistics for 2015/2016, not less than 51,895 cases of sexual offence were recorded.

Despite the placement of preventing and reducing levels of violence being as a priority on the national transformation agenda, South Africa’s attempts to reduce GBV doesn’t seem to be effective as one would expect.

The formulation of Domestic Violence Act No.116 of 1998 haven’t paid dividends either. The act describes itself as aiming to protect women from domestic violence by providing accessible legal instruments aiming to prevent further incidents of abuse with domestic relationships.

According to rights activist, Claudia Lopes, the implementation of the act is holding South Africa back from achieving a non-violence society.

“The insensitivity of staff at police stations, health facilities and courts, who must assist the survivors of violence, causes secondary trauma for many women when they report,” Lopes said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of angry men joined the #NotInMyName march in Pretoria last week. The march came after a string of women deaths, including the brutal death of Karabo Mokoena by her boyfriend, Sandile Mantsoe.

The recent outbreak of women abuse has also led to Facebook users sharing their thoughts on what might be the solution to eliminate such violence in South Africa.

Mbuso Ndabezinhle Kunene said: “Education. Nothing will ever beat being educated about something. If we educate the young ones about the importance of respecting the women it will all goes well.”

Jason Msibi said: “The only solution to eliminate abuse of women is to formulate a clear plan and strategy that would focus on women only. e.g. formulating a police task team that would deal with issues of women specifically wouldn’t be a bad idea. But, also we need to understand that safety of women starts with us as a man. If we abuse them who is going to protect them.”

Responding to whether #NotInMyName march would make a difference in eliminating abuse towards women, Twitter users also shared their thoughts.

Raymond Ngatana (@Rayzor007) said: “It was necessary, but now the main objective is to keep it going, let it not be a one-time thing or even a once in a while thing.”

Lizeka Maduna (@I_am Msuthukazi) said: “As much as it was a great initiative, it would be much better if such campaigns didn’t have to wait for women to be abused and killed."