On Monday, SA joined the global community in launching the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
This annual UN campaign seeks to draw attention to the never-ending violence against women and children across the world.
As has been the custom, the days of activism provide a platform for politicians to paint a picture that something is being done to fight the scourge.
On Monday, Deputy President Paul Mashatile chronicled how through multiple pieces of legislation and other initiatives, the government has tried to address gender-based violence (GBV) and enhance women’s emancipation.
Taking stock of the progress made since the dawn of democracy helps us to identify those few bright sparks that need reinforcement.
However, we should at the same time admit that as a country we are losing the war against GBV.
Horrifying statistics time and again remind us that SA is a country at war with women and children.
A recent report by Stats SA shows that one in three women aged 16 and older has experienced physical violence, while one in five has been sexually abused.
A week ago, the Human Science and Research Council released the results of the first national GBV survey, which was conducted in 2022.
It revealed that more than 33% of SA women have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, while 9.8% have faced sexual violence.
In yet another shocker, Stats SA indicates that last year’s births to girls aged 10 to 19 years represented 12% of all births in the country.
That translates to 102,648 children who gave birth instead of enjoying their childhood and studying.
Coincidentally, this year’s launch happened on the same day the police announced crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
While the crime rate decreased by 5.1%, it is alarming that 957 women were murdered between July and September.
Clearly as a country we have failed women and our children.
Comparatively, this is an increase of 8.6%, or 76 more from 881 during the same period in 2023.
In the same period, 10,991 rapes were reported, which is an average of 122 every day or three every hour.
These are the kind of statistics that collectively we should be ashamed of.
Ironically, most of the perpetrators are known to the victims.
These include intimate partners and family members who are meant to be loving these victims.
Clearly as a country we have failed women and our children.
Pledges, political statements, current pieces of legislation and events are not enough to put a dent in GBV.
We need a serious introspection as nation.
It’s about time we draw a line in the sand and say this far and not beyond.
Collectively we can win the war against GBV.
DispatchLIVE
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