LETTER | We need to be more proactive in fighting gender-based violence

August is known as Women’s Month, a period in which we are supposed to celebrate and commemorate the brave actions of our women who contributed immensely to the ushering in of democracy.

On the contrary, we note with concern how it has become the norm that every year in this month there is a notable increase in the gruesome nature of cases of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). 

The most recent shocking incident was the one where a man was arrested in East London for allegedly killing  and dismembering his girlfriend. 

This is not the country we had envisioned, but sadly this is now our reality.

Women and children live in fear, not only in public spaces, but also in the sanctity of their own communities and homes where they are meant to feel safe.

We are a broken society with a lot of emotional scars and baggage. Society has lost its moral compass, but taking another person’s life can never be justified. 

We no longer live in close-knit communities with members treat each other as family, where everyone upholds the spirit and values of ubuntu.

The “bystander’s syndrome” and “minding your own business” (colloquially known as Ndingenaphi?) are some of the issues that need to be addressed.

Previous generations were raised with the philosophy “it takes a village to raise a child”, where everyone made it their business to correct any ill-behaviour they witnessed within their own community.

However, it has become the  norm that when a tragic incident happens, when a life is taken, all people become preoccupied with is to take videos and race to make them trend on social media.

A new phenomenon of social media activism and hashtags has emerged, which is not followed by any meaningful action.

If we as a society were more proactive instead of being reactive,  if we had the will and drive and were more intentional in acting to curb this scourge of GBV, injuries and loss of lives could be prevented. 

More can be done by the relevant law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and other stakeholders within civic society to work with victims and community members. 

We strongly condemn callous and cowardly acts against defenceless and vulnerable members of our society and call on those who find such behaviour justifiable to seek help from relevant professionals.

There is no amount of shutdowns, marches, and protests that can eradicate GBV if men, the government, and even communities only act after the incidents. We need to be a proactive people.

The mentality of entitlement to women’s bodies by a lot of men is something that needs to be addressed with urgency by clear, intentional and concise programmes.

Those who continue to offend should and must face the full might of the law.

— Milisa Booi, director & head of gender-related and transformation programmes, Dr Mzamo Jakavula Foundation