‘More than 40% of women will be raped in their lifetime’

AS WE begin 16 Days of Activism and social media, radio and television are again abuzz with stories, opinions and outrage over the seemingly never-ending scourge of violence against women and girls, I ask myself the question: is there really hope in sight? Will this unsanctioned war on women’s bodies ever come to an end? Rape and other forms of violence against women (VAW) remain notoriously high in South Africa. Although actual statistics are not known, it is estimated that more than 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime, that only 1 in 4 rapes are reported and that only 14% of these result in convictions. Furthermore, a recent national mortuarybased study revealed that a woman is killed every six hours by an intimate partner in South Africa while domestic violence remains an everyday occurrence for many women in the country. …Read more

 

Women: still victims of violence

IT IS yet again the campaign for 16 Days of Activism of no violence against women and children. It is the ideal time to reflect on progress, achievements and challenges still faced in the effort to prevent violence against the innocent. The period presents an opportunity to critically consider the position of women and girls in society, their state of security, safety and freedom in a democratic South Africa. The year 2016 began with collecting scary statistics of this systemic violence. On New Year’s Day Zestah September was allegedly brutally killed and maimed by her boyfriend. He spent New Year’s Day with her family and also “helped” the family search for her… …Read more