As we celebrate Women’s Month, it’s essential to acknowledge the persistent issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide. This issue extends beyond mere slogans; it demands a serious commitment from all sectors of society and the government. Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called on all South Africans to join the fight against this national crisis, including the violence perpetrated by intimate partners and family members.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted in its 2020 report that, on average, a woman or girl is killed by a family member every 11 minutes. This chilling statistic underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2021 that one in three women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and one in five women has suffered violence at the hands of an intimate partner. These figures are more than just numbers; they reflect the lived experiences of countless women worldwide.
Despite decades of advocacy and policy efforts, the progress in tackling Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been woefully inadequate. The General Secretary of the UN poignantly remarked during the 2021 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture that “everywhere, women are worse off than men, simply because they are women.” This stark reality speaks to the systemic inequality and discrimination faced by women, an issue that remains deeply ingrained in our society.
In South Africa, the government has prioritised the fight against GBVF, but the situation for women and girls remains far from ideal. As we enter the 7th administration, the message is clear: we need new tools to combat this issue effectively. Minister Chikunga emphasised that we must recognise and address the systemic and structural nature of discrimination and violence against women and girls. We cannot expect significant results by merely making superficial changes; we need a systemic overhaul.
This transformation must permeate every aspect of our society, including educational, religious, cultural, sporting, and creative environments. It’s time to challenge and reshape our values and practices to combat patriarchal chauvinism. The department is committed to enforcing gender equality across all levels of government and society, ensuring that it becomes a constitutional imperative, not an afterthought.
To truly address this issue, we need community intelligence. Researchers, scholars, advocates, and activists must go beyond mainstream narratives and delve into the granular realities faced by communities experiencing violence. It’s not just about policy changes; it’s about ensuring justice is served at every level, from community to street.
As Maya Angelou once said, consistent with the experiences of our ancestors, women can no longer “grow the fruit but eat the rind.” Women have always been the foundation of civilisation, yet they continue to face daily struggles for survival. This Women’s Month, let’s not only celebrate but also commit to tangible actions to combat GBV and femicide. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to create a society where every woman can live free from fear and violence.