10 Things You Should Know About The Causes Of Gender-Based Violence In South Africa
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There is a lot of talk about violence and gender-based violence in South Africa. But what does it mean, why is it happening and how can we stop it? Violence against women (VAW) is a global problem that exists everywhere. It’s also something that occurs within our communities as well as outside them. In South Africa, VAW has been prevalent for decades. Statistics from the National Plan of Action on VAW had shown how VAW was affecting nearly every community across the country. The country had experienced a spike in gender-based violence that began in 2008. This article will discuss 10 things you should know about the causes of gender-based violence in South Africa so that you can take action and make a difference if you see, hear or know anyone who may be at risk of being affected by this kind of crime.
Culture and Identity
The culture of a country plays a huge role in the levels of violence that women may experience. If the culture of a society is focused on strict gender roles and restrictions, then gender-based violence is more likely to occur. In South Africa, cultural differences between the Xhosa, Zulu, and Afrikaans people may affect the way that individuals experience violence. Such issues include patriarchy, gender roles, shame, and stigma around abuse and alcohol and other drug abuse as well. South Africa is also a country with a diverse range of ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations. Violence against women can affect people from different backgrounds and this can create additional challenges for service providers.
Gender-Based Violence Is Part Of A Cycle
VAW is part of a cycle of violence. This cycle consists of four steps, known as the continuum of violence. The steps are: VAW can be a part of this cycle in one of two ways: as a cause of the cycle, or as a consequence of someone who has already been affected by the cycle.
Gender-Specific Trauma
As well as experiencing violence, many women who live in a society where violence is prevalent may also have been subjected to gender-specific trauma. This can be caused by a specific incident such as a sexual assault. Women who experience gender-specific trauma often have a higher risk of experiencing several other problems including:
Lack of Economic Empowerment And Confidence In Society
One of the most important facts that you should know is the role that poverty and inequality can play in causing gender-based violence. This is because these issues often lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of trust in society. There is a lack of economic empowerment for many women in South Africa. This means that women have fewer opportunities and less access to economic resources than men do. This can cause feelings of powerlessness and a lack of confidence in dealing with issues such as relationships and harassment.
The Role Of Poverty And Access To Basic Services
Another important fact that you should be aware of is the role that poverty and access to basic services can play in causing violence against women. Poverty and a lack of access to services such as healthcare, law enforcement, and education can lead to increased rates of domestic violence and VAW. Poverty also leads to more incidents of sexual violence since many people do not have the resources to deal with sexual infections or abuse. Some of the services that people in South Africa do not have access to include:
Alcohol And Drug Use In Society
The final fact that you need to know about the causes of gender-based violence in South Africa is the role that alcohol and drug use can play in causing violence. Alcohol and other drugs can lead to increased rates of domestic violence and harassment due to a person’s inability to remember their actions, as well as a person’s inability to reason clearly. This can affect anyone in society, but it is especially common in communities that have a high number of VAW and gender-based violence.
The Need For Effective Legislation And Enforcement
The final fact that you need to know about the causes of gender-based violence in South Africa is the need for effective legislation and enforcement. This is because many people are not aware of the laws that are in place to protect women from violence, and are not aware of the punishments for breaking these laws. People may also not be aware of their rights and need protection from both private and public entities due to racial and economic inequalities in society. Effective legislation is needed for these reasons, and also because many people do not know about the laws that are in place to protect them.
Conclusion
This article will hopefully help you better understand the causes of gender-based violence in South Africa. We hope that you have been able to learn about the various factors that can contribute to the occurrence of this type of crime, including cultural differences, economic inequality, alcohol, and drug use, and a lack of awareness of laws and services. If you have been affected by gender-based violence, you can take action to prevent it from happening again. You should talk to someone and seek help, as well as report any incidents to law enforcement and other relevant authorities.
