Let’s all take a stand against gender-based violence
These unfortunate and painful incidences leave children motherless and parents daughterless as women continue to lose their lives at the hands of the opposite sex
The Gauteng Department of SociaI Development continues to advocate for the rights of the vulnerable groups in South Africa, including those of women.
This includes devising strategies and plans that aim to deal with the scourge of gender-based violence.
August, a month in which we are supposed to celebrate women, government, civil society and society at large continue to witness incidences related to violence against women.
This is according to Busi Kheswa from the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
“These unfortunate and painful incidences leave children motherless and parents daughterless as women continue to lose their lives at the hands of the opposite sex. We have seen that in some instances they are killed or abused by those who are supposed to protect them,” said Kheswa.
“According to an NGO that advocates against gender-based violence (GBV), Safer Spaces, GBV occurs as a result of normative role expectations and unequal power relationships between genders in a society.”
Kheswa said the expectations associated with different genders vary from society to society.
“Patriarchal power structures dominate in many societies, in which male leadership is seen as the norm, and men hold most of the power. As a society we all have a role to play in ending violence against women and children. The recent spate of violent attacks on women all have one thing in common: they have been perpetrated by men. This therefore means men bear an even greater responsibility in ending GBV,” she said.
She added that there is no way one can win the fight against GBV without roping in the culprits or perpetrator of this crime.
“This remains a responsibility for all to never remain silent in the face of discrimination and violence. We must raise our boys to treat women as equals, instill in them the values of respect and give them the tools to resolve conflicts and to process their emotional responses without resorting to anger and violence.
“Our narrative as government should be talking directly to men and boys who might or are perpetrators of GBV. Now more than ever there should be a voice of men condemning their fellow friends, family, members, and colleagues from committing these gruesome acts.”
The spokesperson said this year they are calling on men to assist in addressing misogynistic behaviour and to reporting harassment and sexism everywhere.
“We want to encourage men to take part by actively standing up against gender-based violence. This can start by teaching young boys on how to be better human beings, so that we can live in a violent free society.
“Real men are not passive bystanders to a societal problem. Stand up against violence against women and say not in my name. Let us celebrate Women’s Month by taking a stance against GBV. Let us all protect women,” she said.
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