A Call to End Gender-Based Violence in South Africa- is anyone even listening?

South Africa’s ongoing battle against gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the country’s most critical social challenges. Despite over two decades of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, GBV statistics reveal a grim picture, showing the urgent need for strengthened action and sustainable solutions.

Just how big is this problem?

South Africa ranks among the nations with the highest prevalence of GBV globally. Femicide rates are five times the global average, and the country is one of the most dangerous for women and girls. In 2019/20, a staggering 2,695 women were murdered—equating to one woman being killed every three hours. In 2023 the stats suggest this number had climbed to a staggering 3880- equal to 9 women a day – every single day for an entire year ……

Beyond these alarming numbers, countless cases go unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, or systemic failures, including insufficient legal protection and support mechanisms for survivors. GBV disproportionately affects women from marginalised communities, exacerbating societal inequalities and impeding social and economic progress.

Despite the fact the 16 days of Activism has been shining a spotlight on the issue for 20 years, the incidence of GBV in South Africa has not abated. Recent years have witnessed horrific cases of intimate partner violence, rape, and femicide, bringing attention to the gaps in societal and governmental responses. The murder of Karabo Mokoena in 2017 sparked outrage – with #’s created similar to the #Me2 campaign. The death of Uyinene Mrwetyana in 2019 and the surge in violence against women during the 2020 lockdown showed that nothing had changed. In 2022 The gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp drew significant attention to the challenges around preventing sexual violence. The survivors were attacked while filming a music video, sparking national outrage and calls for better policing. In 2023 the murder of a Grade 7 learner, followed by reports of her being raped, underscored the vulnerability of young girls in South Africa. I could go one listing pages and pages of horrific situations…..and yet nothing has changed.

As BBC News Correspondent @Pumza Fihlani said “Being a woman in South Africa is like being trapped in a locked room - you can hear someone walking outside and you know someone will come one day and you won't be able to stop them. There is nothing you can do to stop him. Nothing can protect you - not the pepper spray in your bag, not the self-defense classes you got as a gift for your birthday when your breasts developed, not traveling in groups, not the NO you've been taught to say should that day come - nothing. “

Let that sink in…

GBV’s repercussions extend beyond personal trauma, affecting the broader socio-economic fabric. It is estimated that GBV costs South Africa between R28.4 billion and R42.4 billion annually, equivalent to 0.9–1.3% of the national GDP. These costs, which include healthcare, legal services, and lost productivity, highlight the continued economic burden of inaction.

The South African government has initiated various strategies to combat GBV. These include the establishment of the Interim Steering Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and the launch of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF in 2020. These frameworks aimed to coordinate responses, improve survivor support, and strengthen the legal framework against GBV. However, it will be no surprise that implementation has been slow, and systemic challenges remain.

The Role of the 16 Days Campaign

The 16 Days of Activism campaign, observed annually from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), is meant to serve as a platform to raise awareness and mobilise communities. While, in fairness it has successfully brought GBV into national discourse, many critics argue that more sustained, year-round efforts are necessary to bring about meaningful change. It’s a bit like celebrating women’s month – as soon as its done it’s an “as you were” situation. Awareness alone will not effect change (as is already evident) without robust law enforcement, comprehensive survivor support systems, and efforts to challenge patriarchal norms that perpetuate violence. This needs to be taught in homes, reinforced in schools, forbidden in universities and workplaces.

So 20 years later what urgently needs to happen to start to reverse the tide…

1. Community Involvement: Community organisations must partner with local authorities to create more safe spaces, provide counseling, and ensure that survivors receive the support they need.

2. Policy Enforcement: The government must expedite the implementation of the GBVF National Strategic Plan and introduce harsher penalties for perpetrators.

3. Education and Awareness: Educational campaigns should focus on changing societal attitudes, addressing toxic masculinity, and promoting gender equality. (#saynotowomansday)

4. Economic Empowerment: Empowering women economically can reduce vulnerability to GBV by increasing independence and providing alternatives to abusive environments.

There is no doubt that the fight against GBV requires collective action and unwavering commitment from all sectors of society. The 16 Days of Activism campaign offers a valuable reminder of this ongoing crisis, but its impact must extend beyond these two weeks. By addressing the root causes of GBV and enforcing accountability, South Africa can move closer to eradicating this scourge and building a society where everyone can live free from fear and violence.

Every voice matters, every action counts, and every day must be a day of activism. For those of us raising boys lets teach them “it ends with us”

#itendswithus #nomore #report #accountability