South Africa’s gender-based violence and femicide rate (GBVF) is reportedly five times higher than the global average. Even though both women and men experience GBV, women and girls affected are in the majority.
Concerted efforts to fight the scourge saw the South African National Assembly passing the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill 2023, during October last year.
The legislation aims to enhance the criminal justice system’s response to GBV through improved law enforcement, police training and legal processes.
The bill came after Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa described GBV in the country as a “second pandemic,” after Covid-19.
Measures aimed at providing relief to victims include the South African government establishing shelters to house and provide services to survivors.
Ongoing efforts to combat GBVF are noted with women formations, activists and faith-based organisations uniting to organise peaceful marches and protest action to show solidarity with the victims when perpetrator appear in court.
In June, a march dubbed the March for Justice, demanded justice for ruthlessly murdered women Judith Mpho Moalasi (41) and Bongiwe Phulampa (35). Furthermore, it demanded the justice system tighten bail conditions against perpetrators of crime of a GBV nature.
McDonald Masithela (39) stands accused of murder, after allegedly stabbing Phulampa to death with a knife; while Songezo Steven Sejakane (42) is charged with the murder of Moalasi. He reportedly ran over her body multiple times with a her vehicle at the crime scene near the G4S Mangaung Prison.
