We are a country with no rainbow, only rain. And this rain is red, warm and bruised between her thighs. This powerful claim is inspired by how Covid-19 has gradually exposed that after 26 years of freedom and democracy. South Africa is a poverty-stricken country with numerous social ills that simply put the virus on a list of issues which threaten the livelihood of our people.
Gender-based violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or structural. GBV occurs as a result of normative role expectations and unequal power relationships between genders in a society. Most acts of interpersonal gender-based violence are committed by men against women, and the man perpetrating the violence is often known by the woman, such as a partner or family member. This being said it cannot be denied that violence against men is also on the rise and should not be discarded or ignored.
The types of GBV in our society namely are; violence against women and girls (VAWG), violence against LGBTI people, Domestic violence (DV), Sexual Violence (SV), and Indirect Structural Violence.
PHOTO: ‘Silence’ by Picsation Photography
However, for the purpose of this pensive piece, I will be shining the light on sexual violence against women and children. South Africa now ranks among the countries with the highest rape rate in the world. According to a survey conducted by the South African Medical Research Council, approximately 1 in 4 men surveyed admitted to committing rape, according to World Population Review data. Basically, 1 woman is murdered every 3 hours in South Africa. Before the lockdown, an average of 100 rape cases were reported every day, and according to Professor Mazibuko, Head of Institute for Gender Studies at Unisa, the numbers that we see on the media is just a fraction of what is really going on in our society, the upsurge is horrific.
We live in a society where violence has been normalised. The world looks at us as a destination of femicide and rape. Society was contracted and built around patriarchy, there are too many excuses. We have to take this conversation into our own hands, because fact of the matter is that by the time we go out into the streets and march accompanied with painful night vigils, it is way too late. During an interview with the SABC in 2020, Shenilla Mohamed, Executive director of Amnesty International South Africa stated that only 1 in 7 cases of rape reported by adult women were prosecuted. She went on to disclose that between the period of March and April 2020, there were 5,082 cases of rape, of these 3,373 arrests were made, and of those only 204 were ever prosecuted.
PHOTO: ‘No more femicide” by Adan Barrera
Much of our effort in South Africa has been focused on response. However – our response efforts need to be supported and complemented by prevention programming, policy development and post traumatic counselling. By addressing the underlying, interlinked causes of GBV, we can work towards preventing it from happening in the first place. Protecting women and children is everyone’s responsibility. The President has made it clear that government condemns any form of violence against women and children, yet the numbers are rising every day. We all need to take a stance to fight the social issues we face as a country.
If there is anything to remember from this piece, it is this – whatever you are not changing, you are choosing. So use your voice, use your platform, report a crime, sign a petition, donate to a cause – just do something!
PHOTO: SA Activist at the 2018 #TotalShutdown GBV Protest
PHOTO: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do” by Edmund Burke
Written by: Thokozane Mkhwanazi (BA Law & Psychology; LLB in progress)
Editors: J.Redelinghuys (Mcom Industrial Psychology); M. van Aswegen (B.IURIS, LLB)
USEFUL NUMBERS
Child line South Africa:
Report child abuse to Child line South Africa’s toll-free line: 0800 055 555
GBV Command Centre
Contact the 24-hour Gender Based Violence Command Centre toll-free number 0800 428 428 to report abuse
South African Human Rights Commission
Call 011 877 3600 to lodge a complaint about human rights violations.
South African Police Service
Report all cases of rape, sexual assault or any form of violence to a local police station or call the toll-free Crime Stop number: 086 00 10111
Legal Aid South Africa
Call the toll-free Legal Aid Advice Line 0800 110 110 for free legal aid if you who cannot afford one.
Domestic Violence Helpline:
Stop Women Abuse: 0800 150 150
AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322
Suicide Helpline: 0800 567 567
National Human Trafficking Helpline: 0800 222 777
Chief Directorate: Promotion of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups
Name: Adv. J.V Mbamali
Tel No: 012 315 1458
Fax: 012 –315 1851
E-mail: VMbamali@justice.gov.za
Directorate: Gender Issues
Tel: 012 315 1670
Fax: 012 315 1960