16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: what you need to know
November 25 marks the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and is also International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign kicks off today, November 25, and runs until December 10.
The global theme this year is ‘Orange the world: End violence against women now!’ People are urged to wear the colour orange and ‘orange’ physical and virtual spaces today and throughout the campaign.
Show your support by donning an orange shirt or hat, wearing orange accessories, making your email signature orange, wrapping a tree in orange cloth, or banding with other women to ‘orange’ a physical landmark in your town… the opportunities are endless.
16 things to know about GBV
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Know the facts
More than 120 000 cases of GBV were recorded by the government-run GBV Command Centre in the first three weeks of the national lockdown. According to government statistics, a woman is killed every three hours in South Africa. Worldwide, South Africa has the highest rate of rape (132.4 incidents per 100 000 people for the year 2010).
- GBV and socio-economic class
The report Crimes against women in South Africa, an analysis of the phenomenon of GBV and femicide (Statistics South Africa) states the prevalence of physical violence was greater among less-educated women than those with secondary education or higher. However, while the prevalence of physical and sexual violence decreases as the wealth quintile increases, wealthier women and children are not immune to GBV.
- Take a stand on social media
Raise the topic, discuss difficult issues, connect with like-minded people, and share posts from activists and organisations. Unite in solidarity with women who have experienced GBV – and remember to colour your social media platforms orange.
- Sexist jokes are not funny
Sexism is any act, word or image based on the idea that a person is inferior because of their gender. Sexism is harmful because it produces feelings of worthlessness and enforces the stereotype that men are better than women. Don’t laugh at the jokes… don’t even smile!
- There’s more legal protection for women and children
The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, Domestic Violence Amendment Bill and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill have been approved and should soon be signed into law. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the new legislation will further strengthen the criminal justice system and ensure harsher penalties for those found guilty of GBV.
- Listen to a survivor
Thato Mogane (27), who suffered physical and verbal abuse at the hands of her ex-partner, says: “I encourage anyone who is silently protecting an abuser to make up your mind and open your eyes. Love is not supposed to be painful. Love is kind. Love is protective. Love should always be beautiful, not harmful and not filled with fear. There is a place for us in society where we can find help, be protected, find sisterhood support, speak out, and break the silence. Day by day, you can only get better.”
Thato has benefited from counselling and skills development opportunities through People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA). Many such centres exist around the country.
POWA’s Thandiwe McCloy says everyone deserves to be in a relationship where they are treated with love, respect, dignity, and kindness. “We believe and hear you. It’s important to remember that life is better without the abuse, no matter how alone you may feel. If you would like to chat to a counsellor, call us on 011 642 4345/6, email counselling@powa.co.za or send a direct message to our Facebook: POWA, Twitter: @POWA_ZA or Instagram: @powa_za pages.”
- Power through unity
Every possible law and policy in South Africa prohibits discrimination and violence. “We should no longer accept inequality and violence as the norm. We should form women’s solidarity circles to confront and expel abusers from our homes, workplaces and communities,” says Bernedette Muthien, activist and Engender director. POWA says society must encourage women in abusive relationships to talk about their experiences and give them a safe space to do so while respecting that what they share is confidential. Email info@powa.co.za for legal assistance.
- Contribute what you can
Support a GBV or women empowerment NPO. If you cannot afford a cash donation, find out what goods they need or volunteer your time. Support their fundraising events.
- Do away with the pink and blue
Stop and think about those Christmas gift catalogues that have a pink page full of prams, toy kitchens and frilly aprons for girls; and a blue page featuring balls, cars and tools for boys. Let your son help cook and your daughter mow the lawn and make sure your partner is on board. “It’s important to socialise our children to know that boys are not better than girls; they are equal. We need to raise children in non-violent households where abuse is not tolerated. In this way, they are less likely to normalise abuse and stay in abusive relationships when they are older. Relationships within the home affect every relationship outside the home,” says POWA.
- Harsher sentences are being handed down to rapists
For instance, on September 27, Sbusiso Nkosi (36) was given a double life sentence by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court for the September 2020 rape and murder of Nomcebo Simelane.
- Survivors and perpetrators
The vast majority of survivors are women and girls, some are LGBTQI+ people, a minority are boys and men. Perpetrators are mainly heterosexual men, says Muthien.
- I think someone I know is being abused
The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children says you should, first and foremost, believe the person. “Listen with compassion and do not judge. Offer practical support, such as accompanying the person to the police station. Share the GBV number, so that they can call to get help.” The GBV command centre says a person can report a case on someone else’s behalf. Call 0800 428 428.
- Forgive yourself and stand tall
“As rape survivors, we should learn to not blame ourselves. As we are victims of gender inequality and gender violence in society, so too we are agents of our own lives, within systemic constraints, of course,” says Muthien.
“We must choose our own empowerment over the perpetual suffering of victimhood; we must forge friendships with other women and alliances with allies to strengthen ourselves and our mutual struggles for liberation from discrimination and violence. Only we can take charge of our own lives and decide how we wish to live. When women stand together, we are stronger, we heal together, we support each other, we build stronger families and communities.”
- SA is committed to gender equality
South Africa is a signatory to several international treaties on GBV, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030). In addition, the rights of women are enshrined in the South African Constitution.
- Dignity, equality and justice
Muthien says GBV is rooted in gender inequality and women’s structural subordination to men, codified in major religious and other cultural practices. “We should challenge inequality and violence as contradicting the Constitution, its Equality Clause, and the Bill of Rights. In law and policy, we are promised support from government, and we should hold government and our communities to account in claiming our basic rights so that we can live lives of dignity, equality and justice. Women’s rights are human rights. Together we are strong, together we can change our families and our communities and our country.”
Stop GBV today
For help, counselling on GBV matters, or to report GBV incidents, call the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV).
Report incidents to the police, the GBV Command Centre, or STOP Gender Violence Helpline: 0800 150 150 / *120*7867#
