Tatenda Mazarura
By Tatenda Mazarura
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in South Africa. The country has alarmingly high rates of violence against women and girls, with a femicide rate five times the global average, resulting in approximately 2,500 women murdered annually. This translates to seven women every day, underscoring a culture that Ian Cameron aptly describes as ‘the biggest human rights violation of our generation.
‘No country for women and girls’
The recent murder of Olorato Mongale, a 30-year-old journalism graduate whose body was discovered in Lombardy West, north of Johannesburg, after she went on a date with her alleged killer, highlights the terrifying reality faced by women in South Africa. Her brutal murder is another harrowing case of gender-based violence, marked by a disturbing sequence of events that suggests she may have fallen victim to a syndicate targeting women.
South Africa has witnessed similar tragedies before. In 2019, the GBV-related deaths of three women – Jesse Hess, a University of the Western Cape student; Leighandre Jegels, a local boxing champion; and Uyinene Mrwetyana, a University of Cape Town student – made international headlines and sparked widespread outrage across the country. Following Mrwetyana’s death, scores of South African women marched to parliament, declaring ‘enough is enough and demanding urgent action. The #AmInext campaign went viral, capturing the nation’s grief and fear, and placing GBV and femicide at the forefront of public discourse
In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa allocated dedicated funding to combat GBV and launched a National Strategic Plan aimed at eradicating the crisis. He also introduced legislative reforms, including amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, which took effect on July 31, 2022. More recently, in November 2024, South Africa enacted the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, establishing a multi-sectoral framework to address GBV and femicide in a more coordinated and systematic manner.
There is a disconnect between protocols and results
South Africa has also committed to several key regional and international frameworks to advance women’s rights and gender equality. These include the Maputo Protocol, formally known as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. The Protocol outlines a comprehensive agenda for protecting and promoting women’s rights, including the right to life, bodily integrity, and security of the person.
Through Agenda 2063, AU Member States, including South Africa, have pledged to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls, and to eradicate harmful social norms and practices that perpetuate such abuse. By ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), South Africa has further reinforced its obligations to uphold gender equality in line with international human rights standards.
Despite ongoing efforts, South Africa remains a perilous place for women and girls. Nearly half of all assaults are perpetrated by someone familiar to the victim, such as a friend, acquaintance, spouse, or intimate partner. When the distinction between protector and perpetrator is often blurred, where can survivors of gender-based violence turn for safety, justice, or hope? The disconnect between the rhetoric of gender equality and the lived reality of most women is stark. For many, daily life is marked by systemic discrimination and the constant threat of gender-based violence and femicide, resulting in widespread fear, trauma, and the erasure of women from public spaces. This robs the nation of a critical mass of its population, which could significantly contribute to the continent’s development.
Fighting GBV everyone’s responsibility
Addressing GBV in South Africa requires a whole-of-government approach to tackle the elephant in the room: toxic masculinities. The persistence of GBV despite the domestication of various international conventions and protocols suggests a deeper issue within South African society, particularly regarding male attitudes and behaviors.
Firstly, efforts should focus on addressing the problem at its roots. This entails targeting young boys who can grow into a generation with an intrinsic respect for people of the opposite sex. A mindset and attitude shift is essential to give life and meaning to the legislative, policy, and regulatory frameworks aimed at tackling the scourge of GBV.
While women and girls are the predominant victims, there is significant room to reduce the devastation. A deliberate effort is needed to empower girls and women, as certain cultural, traditional, and societal factors hinder efforts to combat GBV. This necessitates the involvement of community, religious, and political leaders in pursuing relevant interventions, given the multifaceted and cross-cutting nature of GBV causes in South Africa.
In conclusion, acknowledging the prevalence of toxic masculinities is not intended to vilify South African men or generalize the character and behaviors of the male population. Rather, it is the first step in identifying the root cause of a disturbing trend that continues to afflict society with devastating consequences for girls, women, families, and communities. While policy responses are crucial as evidence-based actions, the starting point must be a concerted effort to change attitudes.
#ACT2EndGBV #End VAWP #TakeItDown
#SpeakOut #SupportVAWPSurvivors