Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
15 May 2023 | 22:06 CAT

Image: Twitter

The focus is again on gender-based violence following the celebration of Mother’s Day. In the run-up to this special day, the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Respond Fund stated that turning a victim into an activist could have a powerful impact on both the individual and the community. They are advocating for a form of empowerment, awareness, change and healing.

Executive Head: Communication and Advocacy, Tshepo Sefotlhelo, speaks to Radio Islam International on the scourge of gender-based violence’s impact on South Africans.

Compared to the rest of the world, Sefotlhelo highlighted the very high number South Africa has in GBV, higher than the global average on all measures. He said out of every three women, one is abused. Femicide rape is five times higher than the global average, with five reports of violence in schools since the start of the 2023 school year, which include rape, physical abuse and bullying. There is also the challenge of educators impregnating female students.

While many of the GBV dangers stem from the low status of women in the home and society, men abuse power and positions of authority to control women. Sefotlhelo said there are many terrible stories; however, he is encouraged by many positive stories too, where women who are facing severe challenges instead of being victims are standing up and saying, ‘not in our name, we are going to empower ourself to work our way out of the situation’.

“It speaks a lot of human spirit and that we often have our own solution as communities,” he says.

The role of Parliament includes the promotion of human dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism and the supremacy of the Constitution. Parliament upholds citizens’ human rights and oversees the implementation of constitutional imperatives. This includes but is not limited to, the passing of legislation that prevents or prohibits unfair discrimination against people based on race and gender.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.