Throwing money at programmes, talk shops not the solution

THE fight against femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) seems to be gaining momentum.

Next month Parliament is expected to finally pass three bills – the Criminal and Related Matters Bill, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Bill and the Domestic Violence Bill – aimed at curbing the high levels of GBV and femicide that continue to wreak havoc in many communities across the country.

The bills will serve as a litmus test to ascertain the effectiveness of the ANC-led government in dealing with the scourge faced by many women and girls.

Early this month President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Response Fund and called on the private sector to join forces with the government to ensure the National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide was fully implemented.

However, throwing money at programmes that seek to deal with GBV or hosting plenty of talk shops is not the most formidable solution to dealing with this contentious issue.

The reality is that where women are concerned, law enforcement in this country is still lagging.

The system itself needs an overhaul.

It is simply not enough to accept that a victim of rape or sexual assault, or a mother or daughter who has been battered and bruised, should endure second trauma because our police officers or prosecutors have failed to be diligent in their duties.

The reality is that society should also play a part in helping to eradicate GBV.

But one of the most important tools in ending GBV lies in the psyche – men in all communities should change their mindset regarding the way they treat women and girls.

For example, when James Brown belted out This is a man’s world, alongside The Famous Flames, in 1966, the patriarchal system that long existed flourished and cemented a strong belief that men are far superior to women. The title of this song rang in the ears of many who sought to dominate and prejudice anything that spoke to femininity.

But what some missed is the second line of the chorus. Although Brown over and over sang “this is a man’s world”, he also immediately sang “but it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl”.

The fight for women’s equality and justice across the world remains tough, but change will come and women and girls will be free.

OPPOSITION to Myanmar’s new military government has escalated after elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained over alleged fraudulent election results. The military coup in Myanmar has also triggered protests by thousands of people in neighbouring Thailand also objecting to the “destruction of democracy”, according to media reports. Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated their support for Aung San Suu Kyi, and waved anti-gun slogans. | African News Agency (ANA)