Help fight SA’s second pandemic
The stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic is one of the factors that has seen an increase in the number of genderbased violence and femicide (GBVF) incidents in South Africa.
Many people are suddenly finding themselves without an income. To make matters worse, the lockdown is preventing them from getting together with friends and family to relax and unwind.This increases frustration levels and leaves more women isolated and vulnerable.
Adding to the plight of women is the reality that they have by far suffered the most job losses during the coronavirus lockdown, leaving them financially disempowered.
The situation has become so severe that President Cyril Ramaphosa has called it a second pandemic. In June alone, more than 30 women and children were killed in incidents of GBVF.
If ever there was a time for people to unite against adversity, it is now. Men need to start respecting and protecting the women and children in their lives and if they are unable to do so on their own, their families, friends and neighbours must intervene by either reporting incidents of violence or holding interventions to make perpetrators realise their actions are unacceptable.
By looking away, you are silently condoning GBVF.You may not have bruised knuckles or blood on your hands, but you are enabling the perpetuation of what is a horrific national violation of human rights.
Similarly, police officers and court officials who do not ensure that a victim-centred approach to justice is upheld, are themselves contributing to the crisis by discouraging the reporting of cases.
Public servants must position themselves as anti-GBV campaigners – in their personal lives and relationships, and in rolling out services and amenities that affirm and empower women, and that protect women where they are vulnerable.
At our disposal in this fight we have three new Bills aimed at curbing GBV which should soon be brought before Parliament – the Criminal and Related Matters Bill, the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill.
Other recent anti-GBV initiatives include the 2020 GBVF National Strategic Plan (GBVFNSP), the appointment of the GBV InterMinisterial Committee, the establishment of a National Council on GBV and the call to all departments to integrate GBVF-NSP targets into their annual performance plans and strategic plans to properly respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
During the lockdown period, government has ensured that survivors of GBV have access to support and services, including the GBV hotline, shelters and support centres.
However, in the words of our President: “Ultimately, the success of our fight to end GBV will require the involvement and support of our entire society.”
Let us take the lead in this fight to ensure we build a South Africa that is based on gender equality and is free of violence.
This, too, is in our hands.