Gender-Based Violence has tragically reached pandemic proportions in South Africa, as highlighted in a report by Police Minister Bheki Cele on May 30, 2023. The alarming statistics paint a distressing reality:
“The women of this country continue to face pervasive violence, predominantly at the hands of men. The 4th Quarter recorded a disturbing double-digit increase of 21.5% in attempted murders. Shockingly, there were 1,485 attempted murders of women in the first three months of this year. Additionally, 969 women lost their lives during the same period, with over 15,000 women subjected to assaults currently under investigation by SAPS for Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) cases.”
These figures starkly depict the unsafe environment women endure in South Africa. As 16 Days of Activism concludes, Qhawekazi emphasizes the critical need for women to prioritize themselves and never compromise on their deal-breakers. Abuse doesn’t suddenly manifest with physical violence; it often begins with demeaning remarks or behaviors. Any compromise signals permission for the abuser to escalate.
Qhawekazi underscores the importance of addressing these issues early in relationships to establish clear expectations. She highlights the concerning trend that many abusers emerge from families entrenched in abuse, perpetuating a cycle they witnessed. To break this pattern, she stresses the necessity of addressing familial and societal norms. Families are the factories where individuals are shaped, and faults in these ‘factories’ contribute to producing abusers.
To combat this, community dialogues are essential to raise awareness. Many individuals aren’t aware they’re either victims or perpetrators until it’s too late. Qhawekazi urges continuous action and awareness against GBV. Rather than confining efforts to 16 days of activism, she emphasizes the need for daily engagement—treating GBV awareness as vital as feeding our bodies, fostering a culture of change and challenging the prevailing narrative on GBV statistics.
In conclusion, she stresses that addressing GBV requires a sustained effort beyond specific campaigns, turning it into a daily societal commitment to enact lasting change.
You can catch the whole interview here:
