GBV and Covid-19
So many factors collude against women in the fight against gender-based violence. Take rape for instance, where the conviction rate is very low.
This disturbing trend has also been reported in our province. Sometimes prosecutors will not pursue cases whose chances of success seem minimal. They spend resources on more promising cases and finally the decision rests with judges.
The same goes for granting or denying bail; it is decided by the courts, often against the wishes of the state. Reports indicate that our police are not always up to the task of gathering evidence and dealing humanely with victims.
Threats to do violent and outrageous things to perpetrators are often issued around election time but they soon die out. This is not helpful. Interestingly, the political parties that have made the death penalty the cornerstone of their manifestos as a response to gender based violence and rape have not done well at the ballot box. We must conclude that the issue has not moved enough people to change their political allegiance.
There are fashionable statements made by commentators, even on these pages, to the effect that the state is capable of changing its ways, as it did in its response to Covid-19. This theory emphasises the government’s ability to make new money available for old problems. This is a very positive outlook, but it fails to take into account that as a result of the lockdown, many departments ground to a halt, thereby freeing funds to prop up the Covid-19 response. These departments will no doubt soon get back to their core business. Surely, the solidarity fund also plays a part in cushioning the pandemic blow, which is heartening. In the case of Covid-19, the possibility of death as well as the universality of the virus shook many into action. Not to mention the economic impact, which galvanised the private sector to make a contribution to the relief effort. It would be good to display similar solidarity in the fight against gender-based violence.
— Phethu Soga, via e-mail