Why gender-based violence remains an elusive challenge in South Africa

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive and deeply entrenched issue in South Africa, presenting significant challenges to achieving gender equality and ensuring the safety of women and marginalized individuals. Despite the country’s progressive legal framework, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act, the prevalence of GBV continues at alarming rates. This article explores why GBV remains unresolved in South Africa, addressing socio-economic factors, cultural norms, and systemic inadequacies within law enforcement and judicial systems.

Socio-economic Factors

At the core of the issue is the intersection of poverty, inequality, and GBV. South Africa has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world, leading to socio-economic conditions that perpetuate violence. Economic dependency on intimate partners can trap individuals, particularly women, in abusive situations. Many women may feel compelled to remain with abusive partners due to financial insecurity, lack of access to education, or limited job opportunities. Furthermore, unemployment rates, particularly among young women, exacerbate vulnerabilities, leading to heightened risks of exploitation and violence.

Additionally, rural areas often lack essential services such as access to healthcare, housing, and education, which can create environments where GBV can flourish. The geographical isolation often experienced by communities in rural settings limits the availability of support services such as shelters and counseling, leaving survivors with fewer options for escape or recovery.

Cultural Norms and Gender Stereotypes

Cultural norms and societal attitudes toward gender roles significantly impact the prevalence of GBV in South Africa. Patriarchal structures, deeply embedded in many communities, perpetuate male dominance and female subordination, normalizing violence as a means of control. Traditional beliefs often dictate that women should be subservient to men, leading to societal acceptance of violent behavior as a means of asserting authority.

The normalization of violence is further entrenched in popular culture and media representations that glorify aggression and toxic masculinity. This cultural backdrop influences attitudes toward women and fosters environments where GBV is trivialized or dismissed. Young boys are often socialized to believe that aggression is an acceptable expression of masculinity, while girls are taught to accept violence as part of relationship dynamics.

Inadequate Support Services

The response to GBV is also hampered by inadequate support services for survivors. Many government facilities, such as police stations and health centers, lack the necessary resources, training, and sensitivity to adequately address the needs of GBV survivors. Victims often encounter hostile or indifferent attitudes when seeking help, discouraging them from reporting incidents or pursuing justice.

For example, the police response to reports of GBV can vary drastically, with many survivors experiencing victim-blaming or being turned away due to “lack of evidence.” Shelters and crisis centers for survivors are frequently underfunded, limiting their capacity to offer safe refuge or psychological support. Often, these services are overwhelmed and lack the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the high number of women seeking assistance.

Systemic Failures in Justice

The South African justice system also faces significant challenges in effectively addressing GBV. While legislation aimed at protecting women’s rights exists, implementation remains fraught with challenges. The judicial process can be daunting and re-traumatizing for survivors, as they often have to navigate a system that is ill-equipped to handle GBV cases sensitively and efficiently.

Statistics indicate a significant conviction rate gap for perpetrators of GBV, further perpetuating a culture of impunity. Many cases are either underreported or not prosecuted, leading to a widespread perception among offenders that they can act without consequence. This systemic failure underscores the need for comprehensive training for law enforcement and judicial personnel to ensure that they can respond appropriately to GBV allegations.

The Role of Government and Policy

While the South African government has made strides in addressing GBV through policies and national action plans, the implementation of these frameworks often falls short. Strategies to combat GBV require substantial investments in resources, capacity building, and community outreach. However, political will and the allocation of funds to support initiatives aimed at reducing GBV remain insufficient.

Furthermore, the interplay between different government departments—such as health, justice, and social services—must be improved to create an integrated approach to combating GBV. This requires collaboration between agencies to ensure that survivors receive the comprehensive support they need and that preventative measures are effectively implemented across all levels of governance.

Community and Civil Society Action

Civil society organizations play a vital role in combating GBV by raising awareness, providing support services, and advocating for policy changes. However, many of these organizations operate with limited funding and resources, often reaching only a fraction of those in need. Building capacity within these organizations and ensuring they have the necessary support is critical for creating a robust response to GBV.

Grassroots mobilization and community engagement are also key components in addressing the cultural and social norms that perpetuate GBV. Programs focused on education, awareness, and empowerment can significantly shift societal attitudes and behaviors. Engaging men and boys in conversations about healthy masculinity.

In conclusion, high levels of poverty and inequality contribute to an environment where GBV thrives, as economic dependency often makes individuals vulnerable to abuse. Additionally, entrenched patriarchal attitudes perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes, normalizing violence against women and discouraging reporting. Secondly, inadequate support services and insufficient funding for GBV prevention and intervention programs hinder effective response mechanisms. Women’s shelters and crisis centers often lack resources, leading to barriers to accessing assistance and protection. Furthermore, the justice system frequently demonstrates shortcomings, such as victim-blaming, long delays in legal proceedings, and inadequate training of law enforcement personnel in dealing with GBV cases. This systemic failure discourages survivors from seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of violence and silence. Ultimately, resolving GBV in South Africa requires a holistic approach that addresses these deep-rooted issues, promotes awareness, and empowers communities. Government, civil society, and the private sector must collaborate in developing comprehensive strategies that prioritize prevention, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. Until these systemic changes are made, gender-based violence will remain a significant barrier to achieving true gender equality in South Africa.

Bongiwe Khumalo is an educator and researcher. She writes in her personal capacity.