As South Africa joins the global call to action during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a pivotal study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) offers an unwavering look at the reality of GBV in the country.
This HSRC's first national study on GBV reveals the extent of a crisis that continues to devastate individuals and communities. It also challenges activists, policymakers and communities to confront the systemic inequalities and cultural norms that fuel violence against women and vulnerable groups.
The annual 16 Days of Activism campaign seeks to amplify the voices of survivors and mobilises efforts to end GBV. It runs from 25 November to 10 December each year.
The study, funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), UN Women, the European Union Delegation to the UN, the Ford Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the HSRC, was released and handed over to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD)on 18 November 2024 and discussed at the annual Science Forum South Africa event.
Drawing from comprehensive data across all nine provinces in South Africa, the study uncovers the prevalence of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and psychological abuse such as controlling behaviours among youth and adults 18 years and older.
Dr Nompumelelo Zungu, who presented the study, said that the report also examines the perpetration of violence by men against their partners, as well as the underlying role of gender norms in driving GBV. Dr Zungu is the Strategic Lead in the Public Health, Societies and Belonging Research Division of the HSRC.
Among other things, Dr Zungu said, the study also aims to determine factors associated with GBV victimisation and perpetration, including mental health and depression among victims and perpetrators.
Looking at the prevalence of lifetime physical violence regardless of partnered status, the study found that 33,1% of all women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical violence in their lifetime. This translates to an estimated 7 310 389 women when generalised to the South African population.
Lifetime physical violence was significantly higher among Black African women compared to women of other race groups, and higher among those cohabiting but not married, compared to married women and women who were not currently in a relationship.
"The high level of victimisation and perpetration of GBV observed among Black communities requires that key stakeholders tackle the difficult conversation about the historical impact of state-sponsored violence and the brutality of apartheid in our communities," said Dr Zungu.
Regardless of their partnered status, 9,9% of women had experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, which translates to 2 150 342 women.
According to the study, lifetime physical and or sexual violence was significantly higher among women aged 35 to 49 years than those aged 50 years and older.
For the first time, the HSRC looked at the prevalence of GBV victimisation among women with disabilities.
Regarding the prevalence of recent forms of physical intimate partner violence, there were no significant differences observed between ever-partnered women with a disability (4,3%) and women without a disability (5,3%).
Men's awareness and perceptions of laws about violence against women in South Africa revealed that most men were aware that there were laws in South Africa that addressed violence against women. For instance, 84% were aware that a husband who forces his wife to have sex against her will is committing a criminal act. A high proportion of men (73,9%) agreed with the perception that the laws "make it too easy for a woman to bring a violence charge against a man".
Ms Siphiwe Mthombeni Director of Gender and Special Programmes at the DSTI, welcomed the findings of the study and highlighted the importance of a multifaceted approach to combating GBV, as well as prevention efforts at all levels, including individuals, families, communities, and society. This, she said, requires all sectors to play a part.
She further noted that in the workplace, it is also vital to examine different elements that are critical in dealing with GBV.
"Recognise it as a workplace issue as it impacts the wellbeing and performance of employees; conduct risk assessments to prevent the exposure of women to GBV; and recognise that sexual harassment is one of the major areas within the workplace that needs to be tackled where women are still left vulnerable and scared to even report it due to fear of losing job opportunities," added Ms Mthombeni.
She said that prevention initiatives include efforts to shift and transform gender norms to align with legislation, support non-governmental organisations to work with communities, traditional leaders, youth centres, and schools, and create a safe space for perpetrators to be assisted in working on themselves.
Ms Esther Maluleke, Chief Director for Governance, Transformation, Justice and Security at the DWYPD, said that the report validates what the Department already knows from comparable surveys conducted by independent researchers and organisations. The DWYPD will respond to the study by developing a plan based on the National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide, which establishes a multi-sectoral strategic framework for eradicating GBV and femicide in the country.
"To put an end to GBV, government and research strategies should consider adopting a long-term, culturally relevant approach to GBV eradication that focuses on household, family, and community environments, as well as the different leadership layers in communities, particularly traditional communities. The strategies should link GBV messaging to rebuilding social fabric, strengthening communities and families, and raising young people who can actively reshape communities, families and society. In addition, relevant social policies should be developed to address the study's identified social and structural factors," concluded Dr Zungu.
Ms Siphiwe Mthombeni Director of Gender and Special Programmes at the DSTI
