The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has released the first-ever South African National Prevalence Study on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), highlighting the dire situation facing women in the country. According to Dr. Nompumelelo Zungu, the HSRC Strategic Leader, the findings paint a grim picture, with over seven million women having experienced physical or emotional violence in their lifetime.
Dr. Zungu emphasised that women, especially those financially dependent on their partners, are often trapped in abusive relationships. The financial dependency makes it difficult for survivors to escape the cycle of violence. This reinforces the need for a multi-faceted approach to support women and provide avenues for them to break free from abusive situations.
The study also reveals that women living with disabilities are even more vulnerable to abuse, with the prevalence of all forms of abuse reported to be significantly higher for this group. Dr. Zungu remarked on the disproportionate challenges faced by these women, stating:
“For a lifetime, this report shows that all forms of abuse are very high for women living with disabilities.”
Startling Statistics on Gender-Based Violence
The results of the GBV prevalence study shed light on the staggering scope of violence against women in South Africa:
- 30.1% of women aged 18 and older have experienced physical violence, which translates to 7.3 million women.
- 9.8% of women have been victims of sexual violence, affecting 2.1 million women.
These numbers underscore the deeply entrenched culture of violence and highlight the urgent need for intervention.
In response to the findings, Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike, called for a long-term, holistic approach to combat GBV. Letsike echoed the sentiment that the study’s results confirm the alarming and widespread nature of violence against women and stressed the need for more comprehensive support structures.
“We cannot continue to treat this issue as a short-term problem,” she said. “A long-term approach is necessary to create lasting change in how society addresses and responds to gender-based violence.”
The results of the South African National Prevalence Study on GBV have sparked national discussions on the scope of violence against women and the systemic changes required to address the root causes. It is clear that GBV is not just a criminal issue but a societal crisis that demands collective action from the government, civil society, and communities at large.
As the country grapples with these findings, the focus now turns to the implementation of meaningful interventions that can protect women, promote accountability, and prevent further violence.
