{"id":21609,"date":"2025-08-09T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=21609"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:04:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:04:25","slug":"gender-based-violence-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/gender-based-violence-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Gender-Based Violence in South Africa: Why the Crisis Keeps Escalating"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa remains a severe and escalating crisis. Despite ongoing government action, legal reforms, and community programmes, the rates of violence against women and girls have not significantly decreased. Understanding why this crisis persists and escalates is essential to develop effective solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Despite signing the UN\u2019s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), South Africa is still battling alarming rates of domestic violence. The promises are on paper but the reality tells another story.<\/em> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/cedaw-gap-south-africa-domestic-violence\/\">Click here<\/a><\/strong> <em>to learn more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-gender-based-violence\" data-level=\"2\">What Is Gender-Based Violence?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#why-does-gbv-persist-and-escalate-in-south-africa\" data-level=\"2\">Why Does GBV Persist and Escalate in South Africa?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-1-deep-rooted-patriarchal-norms-and-gender-inequality\" data-level=\"2\">1. Deep-Rooted Patriarchal Norms and Gender Inequality<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-2-economic-and-social-factors\" data-level=\"2\">2. Economic and Social Factors<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-3-inadequate-implementation-of-laws-and-services\" data-level=\"2\">3. Inadequate Implementation of Laws and Services<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-4-insufficient-prevention-efforts-focused-on-root-causes\" data-level=\"2\">4. Insufficient Prevention Efforts Focused on Root Causes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-5-limited-community-involvement-and-accountability\" data-level=\"2\">5. Limited Community Involvement and Accountability<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#current-government-and-civil-society-responses\" data-level=\"2\">Current Government and Civil Society Responses<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-a-national-strategic-plan-on-gbvf\" data-level=\"2\">a) National Strategic Plan on GBVF<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-b-legal-and-institutional-advances\" data-level=\"2\">b) Legal and Institutional Advances<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-c-prevention-focused-programmes\" data-level=\"2\">c) Prevention-Focused Programmes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-d-support-services-and-infrastructure\" data-level=\"2\">d) Support Services and Infrastructure<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#challenges-that-hinder-progress\" data-level=\"2\">Challenges That Hinder Progress<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-way-forward-building-a-safer-south-africa\" data-level=\"2\">The Way Forward: Building a Safer South Africa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-gender-based-violence\">What Is Gender-Based Violence?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender, most often targeting women and girls. It includes physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological abuse. In South Africa, GBV involves domestic violence, femicide, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse rooted in gender inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-933384431\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-does-gbv-persist-and-escalate-in-south-africa\">Why Does GBV Persist and Escalate in South Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-deep-rooted-patriarchal-norms-and-gender-inequality\">1. Deep-Rooted Patriarchal Norms and Gender Inequality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s social, cultural, and economic systems often reinforce patriarchal attitudes that view women as subordinate. Harmful gender norms promote male dominance and control, fostering environments where violence is tolerated or ignored. Changing these deep-seated beliefs is a slow and difficult process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2339419426\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-economic-and-social-factors\">2. Economic and Social Factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/youth-unemployment-gender-based-violence\/\">High levels of poverty<\/a>, unemployment, and substance abuse exacerbate the risk of violence. Economic stress can increase household tensions, while limited opportunities for women perpetuate dependence and vulnerability. Many survivors face financial barriers to seeking help or escaping abusive situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-inadequate-implementation-of-laws-and-services\">3. Inadequate Implementation of Laws and Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Though South Africa has improved its legal framework; with new laws like the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act (May 2024); challenges remain. Police response can be slow or insensitive, court processes lengthy, and access to survivor services uneven. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/gbv-stats-969-women-murdered\/\">Gaps in<\/a> enforcement undermine deterrence and protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2109332630\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-insufficient-prevention-efforts-focused-on-root-causes\">4. Insufficient Prevention Efforts Focused on Root Causes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most government and NGO programmes have concentrated heavily on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/police-urge-against-withdrawing-gbv-cases\/\">responding to<\/a> GBV, supporting survivors and prosecuting offenders. However, proactive prevention targeting attitudes, social norms, and community behaviour is still under-resourced and inconsistent. Primary prevention programmes aim to change men\u2019s attitudes about violence but require greater scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-limited-community-involvement-and-accountability\">5. Limited Community Involvement and Accountability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many communities lack <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/police-gbv-fight\/\">coordinated efforts<\/a> to confront GBV openly. Silence, stigma, and fear prevent victims from reporting abuse. Greater community mobilisation, education, and engagement of men and boys as advocates for change are essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2712472054\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"current-government-and-civil-society-responses\">Current Government and Civil Society Responses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-national-strategic-plan-on-gbvf\">a) National Strategic Plan on GBVF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s government launched a comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stateofthenation.gov.za\/priorities\/making-communities-safer\/gender-based-violence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Strategic Plan<\/a> on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in 2020. It focuses on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prevention of GBV through awareness and education campaigns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening criminal justice and law enforcement responses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providing care and support services for survivors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Economic empowerment of women and community mobilisation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This plan is backed by significant public and private sector funding, including a R21 billion budget over the medium term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2382095190\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-b-legal-and-institutional-advances\">b) Legal and Institutional Advances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.za\/documents\/acts\/national-council-gender-based-violence-and-femicide-act-9-2024-english-sepedi-27-may\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passed in 2024<\/a>, establishes a statutory multi-sectoral council for strategic leadership on GBV. It aims to strengthen coordination among government, civil society, and private sector partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-c-prevention-focused-programmes\">c) Prevention-Focused Programmes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Primary prevention <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbvfresponsefund1.org\/about-us\/#ourstory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">campaigns<\/a> like those by <a href=\"https:\/\/genderjustice.org.za\/project\/regional-programmes-networks\/prevention-plus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sonke Gender Justice<\/a> emphasise changing attitudes before violence occurs. These include educational programmes in schools, workplace initiatives, and community mobilisation to promote respectful, non-violent relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Non-governmental organisations and social movements actively engage men as allies, challenging harmful norms promoting violence against women and girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2558888912\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-d-support-services-and-infrastructure\">d) Support Services and Infrastructure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Care centres, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.za\/TCC#:~:text=Thuthuzela%20Care%20Centres%20%7C%20South%20African,counselling%20services%20at%20the%20Centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thuthuzela<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.za\/news\/media-advisories\/government-activities\/minister-lindiwe-zulu-launches-khuseleka-one-stop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Khuseleka<\/a>, provide psychological, medical, and legal support to survivors of GBV. Police stations have introduced evidence kits to improve case handling, while emergency hotlines and shelters aim to increase access to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"challenges-that-hinder-progress\">Challenges That Hinder Progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lack of consistent funding slows expansion of prevention programmes and survivor services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stigma and distrust prevent many victims from seeking help or reporting incidents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overburdened police and justice systems limit timely investigation and prosecution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Socio-economic inequalities entrench vulnerabilities, especially in rural and township communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cultural practices and misinformation complicate education efforts about gender equality and rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2243624885\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-way-forward-building-a-safer-south-africa\">The Way Forward: Building a Safer South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scaling up primary prevention<\/strong> interventions targeting men and boys widely across society.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening community-based initiatives<\/strong> that raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote local solutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ensuring effective implementation and oversight<\/strong> of laws protecting survivors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comprehensive education<\/strong> starting early that promotes equality, respect, and non-violence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved coordination<\/strong> between <a href=\"https:\/\/gbv.org.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">government departments<\/a>, civil society, and the private sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Empowering survivors economically and socially<\/strong> to help reduce dependence and vulnerability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s GBV crisis is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/news\/gbv-are-we-losing-this-war\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">complex<\/a> and multifaceted, demanding sustained, coordinated efforts from all sectors of society. Only by addressing <a href=\"https:\/\/cge.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CGE-SAPS-REPORT.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">root causes<\/a> alongside responsive services can the cycle of violence be broken, and a safer, more equitable society be achieved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the causes behind South Africa&#8217;s escalating gender-based violence crisis. Learn about prevention challenges, government strategies, and the urgent need for coordinated action to protect women and girls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":21613,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Explore the causes behind South Africa's escalating gender-based violence crisis. Learn about prevention challenges, government strategies, and the urgent need for coordinated action to protect women and girls.","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[8435,6219,2583,2585,2586,4683,8969,6220],"class_list":{"0":"post-21609","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-community-safety-initiatives","9":"tag-domestic-violence","10":"tag-femicide","11":"tag-gbv","12":"tag-gender-based-violence","13":"tag-law-enforcement","14":"tag-social-justice","15":"tag-survivor-advocacy"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21609"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21612,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21609\/revisions\/21612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}