Daily Dispatch
Women abuse – get serious
IT IS ironic and tragic that one day after the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign launched, this newspaper had little choice but to feature a harrowing story about an Eastern Cape woman’s rape ordeal on our front page.
Yesterday we bemoaned the police’s response – or lack thereof – to the woman’s calls for help. But the problem is much bigger than inadequate policing. Not a day goes by without violence against women or children being reported.
Two months ago, we reported on helpless Peddie women living in fear of rampaging rapists. Some traumatised victims committed suicide.
Unfortunately this reprehensible picture is replicated throughout the province. Tholeni village near Butterworth is even dubbed a “village of death” because of the high number of brutal murders of women and children.
Particularly troubling is that police statistics released in September show the number of attacks is not going down but up. In the Eastern Cape reported sexual crimes rose from 9 567 in April last year to 9 897 in March next year.
The United Nations rates violence against women as one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It says one in three women and girls have experienced some form of domestic abuse. Some national studies reveal that up to 70% of women have suffered genderbased violence. Statistics also show that less than 4% of women in such situations report the violence.
South Africa features high among the countries with the worst rape rates. So, what are we doing to stop it?
Our Constitution provides for the protection of women and children. Parliament has committees designed to ensure that government adheres to its constitutional obligations and that communities are aware and active in the battle against gender-based violence. These are the portfolio committee on women, youth and people with disabilities and the select committee on women, children and people with disabilities.
Beyond that, there are campaigns like 16 Days. But when a president stands up at the national launch and blathers on about pastors asking “Jesus come again to deal with us and cleanse us”, it is clear that government has run out of ideas, not to mention, lacks the will.
Where is the ANC Women’s League? Where are civil society organs like churches? Where are our traditional leaders? And why is it that the authorities only seem to make a great deal of noise and direct assets and energy to addressing problems related to male circumcision?
Safeguarding the right to dignity and safety of South African women and children should not be a battle highlighted for 16 days in a year. It should be 365 days of activism until the violence stops.