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By Edwin Naidu
South Africa joins the rest of the globe in raising awareness about what has become an annual public relations exercise around the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children.
Ironically, South Africa and the African continent have the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicide, followed by the Americas and then by Oceania.
This violence extends to all walks of society, including tertiary institutions and schools, with the victims ranging from professors to learners. Violence against women is not just a South African challenge. The world of academia was stunned by the death of Dorcas Lekganyane, a South African scientist, allegedly murdered in an act of gender-based violence (GBV) in July 2024. Her partner was arrested and charged with murder after she was found dead in a house in Bramley, Johannesburg. In the Western Cape in August, police arrested a 17-year-old boy for the murder of grade 10 pupil Deveney Nel, who was found dead in a storeroom at her school, Hoërskool Overburg, in Caledon. Sadly, the list of gruesome deaths through GBV gets longer.
One woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by their intimate partner or other family members, according to thelatest global report on femicides. An intimate partner or another family member commits 60% of all female homicides.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November, the report Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides by UN Women and UNODC reveals that femicide — the most extreme form of violence against women and girls — is a problem that seems to be getting worse. Why?
Globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023. A total of 60% of these homicides – 51,000 – were committed by an intimate partner or another family member. Around 140 women and girls die every day at the hands of their partner or a close relative, which means one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes.
In the 21st century, with cruel actions of people and leaders under more scrutiny, you would think that violence against women and children would show a decrease. In South Africa, thanks to ineffective policing and an equally ineffectual National Prosecuting Authority under the hapless leadership of Shamila Batohi, criminals and crooks continue to walk freely. The victims’ families fight for justice is one of painful resilience. In some cases, most victims don’t get justice.
But you can expect President Cyril Ramaphosa and the current Minister of Women to come out of their slumber and talk about 16 Days of Activism while the justice system, under their appointees, keeps failing the nation.
What the emergence of the Government of National Unity enforced on the former ruling party, which famously proclaimed it would reign until Jesus came, is shared leadership because the people have spoken out against the former type of arrogance at the ballot. Ironically, former president Jacob Zuma was accused and acquitted of rape, during which the ANC Women’s League turned a blind eye to his disgraceful treatment of women, shows how compromised and unable they were to act against the man leading the nation. Ironically, he was spat out like a used condom by the very party he now dreams of usurping and ruling the country again. Perish the thought if women of South Africa have anything to say about it.
The ANC’s diminishing stranglehold on the nation has failed to spark action to strengthen the criminal justice system meaningfully, holding perpetrators accountable while ensuring adequate support for survivors. Can women of South Africa truly say they are able to walk around or go anywhere without looking over their shoulder?
The answer is a resounding NO!
According to Ghada Waly, the executive director of the UN Office and Drugs and Crime, women must have access to safe and transparent reporting mechanisms.
“At the same time, we must confront and dismantle the gender biases, power imbalances, and harmful norms that perpetuate violence against women. As this year’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign begins, we must act now to protect women’s lives.”
“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable — it is preventable. We need robust legislation, improved data collection, greater government accountability, a zero-tolerance culture, and increased funding for women’s rights organisations and institutional bodies,” she added.
Universities, schools and society in general must become safer places. Women in South Africa, Africa and the world need protection, not public relations, Mr President.
Edwin Naidu is the Editor of Inside Education.
INSIDE EDUCATION
