Monday marked the last day of 16 days of activism in the country. While the campaign was designed to raise awareness of the negative impacts of violence and abuse on women and children, experts, activists, and researchers believe that more, especially at the private sector level, can be done to mitigate and eradicate it.



“I’m not entirely sold on the whole idea of 16 days,” Advocate Bernadine Bachar, director at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Cape Town says, adding, “Because it is an easy pass for policymakers and politicians to say we&#8217;re going to be concentrating on gender-based violence for 60 days and then kind of revisit it a year later.”



In December 2024, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and activism social media group, Women For Change released the 2023/2024 crime stats, identifying that femicide had surged by 33.8% in one year. According to SAPS 5,578 women were murdered between April 2023 and March 2024, a hike from 4,169 women in 2022/2023.



The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Gender &amp; Health Research Unit also released a report in October stating that 60% of women murdered in 2020/21 were killed by an intimate partner, an increase from previous years.



The report further noted that convictions had also dropped, with fewer than one in five intimate partner femicide cases resulting in a sentence. The study shows that a woman’s chance of receiving justice significantly decreased, with more cases of unidentified perpetrators.



“Femicide is preventable. Yet, in South Africa, reports of another femicide have become the new normal.&nbsp;We must address this crisis with urgency, especially given the sharp rise in intimate partner femicide during the pandemic,” Professor Naeemah Abrahams, Chief Specialist Scientist at the SAMRC Gender &amp; Health Research Unit said in the report.



“The fact that conviction rates are so low, and the number of unsolved cases is growing, should be a resounding call to improve our justice system’s response to gender-based violence.”



Bachar says that this also has a dire effect on the economy.



“Gender-based violence and its impact on survivors has an impact on the economy when it comes to our health system, our police system, our workforce, our children and their placements in schools and ability to carry on with their schooling. It affects every aspect of a woman’s life. And if we don’t get to grips with eradicating [it], we are going to be damning the next generation to be sitting exactly where we’re sitting at the moment.”



KMPG has estimated in their Too Costly to ignore –&nbsp;the economic impact of gender-based violence in SA report that the economic impact of that violence is between at least ZAR28.4 billion ($1.5 billion) and ZAR42.4 billion ($2.3 billion) in 2013, representing 0.9% and 1.3% of GDP respectively.



GBV researcher Gorata Chengeta states that although she agrees that the monetary value of it is there, there are also costs that cannot be quantified.



“As someone whose research and work is focused on the experiences of survivors and what happens after GBV, it’s really important to remember the human cost of GBV to people’s individual lives, which cannot be quantified in monetary terms, but also the conversations about the economic impact are also related to that human cost,” Chengeta tells FORBES AFRICA.



Although there have been initiatives and programs from corporates that are centered on assistance regarding GBV, the question remains – is there more that can be done?



Experts believe that agency and urgency can help elevate the problem, especially when it comes to the involvement of the private sector.



Ngaa Murombedzi is the Southern Africa Regional Advocacy and Policy Manager at AIDS Healthcare Foundation. She highlights that the intersection between GBV and HIV in South Africa needs to be confronted and says that it starts with policy.



“Private sector companies can have clear policies that speak against gender-based violence within the workspace; this looks like providing a safe environment for employees that encourages reporting any form of abuse without fear of retaliation,” she tells FORBES AFRICA.



“We know that stigma and discrimination continue to be the biggest contributing factors around gender-based violence and its perpetuation within our society in South Africa.”



Institutions like the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children have served 276,000 women and children over the last 25 years, and have offered job skills, entrepreneurial training, and psychosocial support.



However, Bachar notes that the unemployment rate is a lone indicative of how costly GBV is to the country.



“What the private sector can do is work with those of us that are in in the gender sector to perhaps free up 100 entry-level jobs,” Bachar adds.



“Let’s talk to supermarkets [for example], free up entry-level jobs for GBV survivors that are coming out of shelters; we can then start moving these women through the shelter system into jobs that can be empowering to them to actually put food on the table, get a sense of self-worth [and] move away from violence and the perpetrator.”



It been referred to as something that is paramount to a “pandemic that is crippling society, depriving women and children of their right to be safe and continue with their daily lives without fear of being murdered or raped, if not both” by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.



“The private sector often has resources to support other causes. They have corporate social responsibility causes and something practical that they can do with that money right now is to invest in funding shelters that support survivors and victims of domestic violence, because at the moment, there is a shortage of funding, and it’s a sector that does a lot of very important work,” Chengeta concludes.

WCG Form Human Chain In Commemoration Of 16 Days Of Activism

Beyond The 16 Days: What Corporates Can Do In The Fight Against GBV In South Africa

South Africa’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence (GBV) has received a boost with the release of the first national study on the subject. Conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the report goes beyond statistics to expose the structural and behavioral factors fueling this epidemic. At its core, the study reveals the interconnectedness of mental health crises, entrenched societal norms, and systemic inequalities. The report, first commissioned in 2022, was released during a press conference earlier this week.



Women Most at Risk



The study estimates that more than 7.8 million South African women have experienced lifetime physical and/or sexual violence, said Dr Nompumelelo Zungu, Deputy Executive Director at the HSRC, announcing the report in Pretoria.



While all women are vulnerable, those with disabilities face heightened risks. Women living with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence compared to those without. “For a lifetime, this report shows that all forms of abuse are very high for women living with disabilities,” Zungu explained. These women face unique challenges that demand urgent, tailored interventions, including their reliance on others for daily needs, which leaves them more exposed to abuse.



Black African women also bear the brunt of physical violence. “Lifetime physical violence was significantly higher among Black African women with 35.5%, compared to women of other race groups,” said Zungu.



A Broader Crisis in Masculinity



The study highlights the mental health struggles faced by men, particularly those who perpetrate violence. Early childhood trauma, substance abuse, and socioeconomic pressures emerge as recurring themes among perpetrators. These issues underscore the need for targeted mental health services and programs aimed at dismantling harmful gender norms.



The findings show how deep-rooted societal norms perpetuate violence. Patriarchal beliefs, such as those normalizing men’s control over women, remain prevalent, contributing to a toxic environment. According to the study, nearly a quarter of men believe women cannot refuse sex with their husbands, and 8% believe there are times when women deserve to be beaten.



The Covid-19 pandemic amplified these vulnerabilities, with intimate partner violence (IPV) surging during lockdowns. Economic strain and isolation left many women trapped with their abusers, further underscoring the link between systemic inequalities and GBV.



The HSRC study presents a range of recommendations to tackle GBV, including community interventions to challenge harmful norms, enhanced support systems for survivors, and economic empowerment initiatives.

South Africa : Illustration

Study Reiterates Hidden Drivers Of South Africa’s GBV Crisis

Namibia is now the most gender-equal country in Africa and sixth in the world, but there are mixed views on the reality in the southern African country.



PATIENCE MASUA, 22, RECENTLY MADE HISTORY in Namibia when she became the youngest member of parliament. If anything, it affirms Namibia’s newfound status as the sixth most gender-equal country in the world, a step ahead of even globally-renowned Rwanda, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2021 Global Gender Gap Report released in March. Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world for the 12th time on the list. Namibia and Rwanda are the only two African countries in the top 10. 



Vesselina Stefanova Ratcheva, the report’s Insights Lead, tells FORBES AFRICA: “What we see in the data is that there is political empowerment; we’ve seen this closing of political gender gaps, which is one of the reasons why Namibia has done so well.” 



There are more reiterations of this. Gender Links (GL), a southern African women’s rights organization, says in a 2020 report that women constitute 46% of Namibia’s parliament, narrowly missing the 50% mark. GL further states that “Namibia and South Africa are now tied for the highest representation of women in parliament in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)”. 



But there are other voices that need to be heard too, on the gender-related issues in the country. “Namibia on the list is a huge contradiction,” says Namibia-based gender mainstreaming consultant, Penohole Brock. “It’s our gender awareness that is lacking overall. You have women in leadership positions that continue to uphold conservative views and patriarchy.” 



In October last year, a wave of protests against gender-based violence broke out in Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek. The #ShutItAllDownNambia protestors called for the government to do more to stop the spread of rape and the killing of women. On October 10, EWN reported that the protest was quickly dispersed by police and the Special Reserve Force using tear gas, rubber bullets and batons. 



Since then, was it possible more political attention was given to improve issues? “But it could be that politicians made a conscious choice to drive forward the number of women that are represented in government so that they can help solve these issues,” Ratcheva says. “But I wouldn’t say certainly that it is, without knowing.” 



Brock counters by saying that although Namibia ticks all the representation boxes, she questions what representation actually means, and how there are still gender issues in the country. 



“Political parties are placing women in parliament now, but when you talk to the women, they say that the men still dominate the space. From a quantitative gender audit, Namibia seems okay on paper, but a qualitative gender audit will show major red flags.” 



Since its conception in 2006, the Global Gender Gap Report has highlighted the evolution of gender-based gaps in four areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. 



The 2021 report shows how it will now take 135.6 years – up from 99.5 years – to close the global gender gap. The pandemic has pushed back gender parity by a generation. Sub-Saharan Africa has made slow progress, as this region will take 121.7 years to close the gender gap. 



More than half of the countries in the region (20 out of 34) made progress towards gender parity in the past year, though only Namibia and Rwanda have closed at least 80% of their gaps. Ratcheva’s first assessment of the report is that “this is a risky time for gender parity”. 



She further explains that the issues of gender equality and equity plus Covid-19 equal an incredible amount of backsliding. This could result in that 136year figure increasing in the years to come. 



“Covid-19 is posing challenges to all of us in very different ways. Unless there is a concerted effort to reinvest in gender parity and to put in place the foundations for gender-equal recovery, there could be a lot more of that backward progress,” she warns. 



Although politically, Namibia seems to be on the right track in achieving gender parity, Brock argues that from a local authority level, there is still much to be done. 



“Gender parity and our 50/50 representation policy should be seen as a first step and not the end goal to combating gender inequality. If gender awareness and gender sensitivity are not pursued at all levels and taken seriously, then ideals of patriarchy will be impossible to dismantle.”

NAMIBIA-CRIME-DEMONSTRATION

‘A Risky Time For Gender Parity’

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation announcing that the government will further ease the country&#8217;s lockdown restrictions.



Restaurants, beauty salons, cinemas are among the businesses that will be allowed to operate again in South Africa.



The country is still on lockdown ‘Level 3’ of the government&#8217;s “risk adjusted strategy”.



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">South Africa remains at lockdown level 3, but additional sectors of our economy will now be allowed to reopen – as long as strict measures are in place to ensure physical distancing &amp; personal hygiene. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/lyNAqCUOdv">pic.twitter.com/lyNAqCUOdv</a>&mdash; The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1273319508019724288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Containing COVID-19 is our collective responsibility. As we cautiously ease lockdown restrictions, it is vital that South Africans remain engaged, co-operate with others &amp; observe the regulations in place to protect public health. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/aVP2gHUiSv">pic.twitter.com/aVP2gHUiSv</a>&mdash; The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1273321633491628033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">As more sectors of our economy reopen, our continued success in curbing the rate of COVID-19 infections depends on responsible behaviour. Social distancing, the use of masks &amp; certain restrictions on movement must remain part of our daily lives. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rh9u5Btjhd">pic.twitter.com/Rh9u5Btjhd</a>&mdash; The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1273321971607113728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Restrictions on most public gatherings will remain in place at this stage of the lockdown to protect the community and reduce the spread of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> infection. <a href="https://t.co/FZ59w3TdGn">pic.twitter.com/FZ59w3TdGn</a>&mdash; The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1273322726464372736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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President Ramaphosa also spoke on the gender based violence in the country. 



&#8220;It is with the heaviest of hearts that I stand before the women and the girls of South Africa this evening to talk about another pandemic that is raging in our country. The killing of women and children by the men of our country. As a man, as a husband, and as a father to daughters, I am appalled at what is no less than a war that is being waged against the women and the children of our country,&#8221; says Ramaphosa. 



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">President <a href="https://twitter.com/CyrilRamaphosa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CyrilRamaphosa</a> is addressing South Africans tonight as our country continues to fight the coronavirus. A critical focus for government at this time is on our effort to protect girls &amp; women from sexual &amp; gender-based violence during this outbreak. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/P48Pcz0R6H">pic.twitter.com/P48Pcz0R6H</a>&mdash; The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1273323699236732931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Watch below:



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">President <a href="https://twitter.com/CyrilRamaphosa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CyrilRamaphosa</a> addresses the nation on South Africa&#39;s risk-adjusted strategy to managing the spread of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronaVirusSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronaVirusSA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Level3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Level3</a> <a href="https://t.co/W8sAT1Z4f0">https://t.co/W8sAT1Z4f0</a>&mdash; The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidencyZA/status/1273314734071111680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Ramaphosa new

Covid-19: Restaurants, Beauty Salons, Cinemas Among Businesses That Will Operate Again In South Africa As Ramaphosa Announces Eased Lockdown Restrictions

Tag: gender based violence

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

Beyond The 16 Days: What Corporates Can Do In The Fight Against GBV In South Africa

Study Reiterates Hidden Drivers Of South Africa’s GBV Crisis

‘A Risky Time For Gender Parity’

Covid-19: Restaurants, Beauty Salons, Cinemas Among Businesses That Will Operate Again In South Africa As Ramaphosa Announces Eased Lockdown Restrictions