Why Gender-Based Violence Persists in Southern Africa
A series of killings in South Africa has renewed scrutiny of efforts to combat violence against women.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue in Southern Africa, despite efforts to combat it. In South Africa, a recent series of killings of women in their 20s and 30s in Ekurhuleni, a municipality on the outskirts of Johannesburg, has raised concerns. The most recent victim, Dineo M, was found partially naked and beaten to death.
For Dineo's sister, Carol, this tragedy is even more devastating, as her 2-year-old child has no idea what happened to his mother. Carol expressed the anguish of explaining to her child that his mother was brutally murdered, with no hope of seeing her again.
Authorities are investigating the killings, but it is unclear whether they are linked. Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stated there is no conclusive evidence of a serial killer, but nothing has been ruled out. Women in Ekurhuleni have been advised to take precautions, and police have issued an alert. The deaths have highlighted questions about the effectiveness of existing measures in protecting women.
For Naledi Masipa, campaigns manager at Gender Links, the issue extends beyond laws and policies. She emphasized that a comprehensive support system is necessary, including reporting, policing, health services, psychosocial support, and legal assistance. If any part of the system fails, women continue to bear the burden. Amnesty International South Africa pointed out that femicide is not recognized as a separate crime, but rather as another form of murder. More resources and a sense of urgency are needed to address the crisis.
The problem of GBV extends beyond South Africa's borders, affecting neighboring countries like Botswana and Zambia as well. In Botswana, at least 37% of women have experienced violence in their lifetimes. Botswana has launched a joint program with the United Nations to focus on prevention, survivor-centered services, and stronger institutions.
Similarly, in Zambia, GBV persists despite laws and national programs aimed at tackling it. Anne Mbewe-Anamela, executive director of the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council, stressed the importance of placing survivors at the center of the response. GBV is deeply rooted in power, inequality, and social expectations, and more policies alone are not enough to bring about change.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
