Duduzile (Dudu) Sokhela

Prose-Stories / Gender Based Violence (GBV) + Discrimination

Prose | Story

The story is based on the narrative of gender-Based Violence in South Africa.

Like Climate change and Global Warming, Gender-Based violence (GBV) is a pandemic that continues unabated. Each one of us is aware of the dangers these factors pose to human species. Women are beautiful, yet unique species. They epitomize extraordinary beautiful gems, created in the image of such gems. Women are the backbone of families and the backbone of society, without women, the world shall not be beautiful, families shall not multiply, therefore families shall not prosper. And yet, in the eyes of the abusers and perpetrators of gender-based violence, these women are seen as perfect targets for pervasive GBV. Those perpetrating violence against women, have a deep-seated hatred for women. Women across the globe have taken to the streets to protest against gender-based violence and gender discrimination.

The United Nations (UN) Women estimates that 243 million women and girls between the ages of 15-49 have been subjected to sexual and physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in the last 12 months. This number is likely to increase as countries are hit by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. GBV is regarded as one of the most excruciating forms of gender inequality across the world and continues to be one of the most pervasive human rights violations of modern times, by far. It is a narrative that disproportionally affects women since it has links to the unequal distribution of power between men and women.

In 2019, the inception of the COVID-19 breakout in Wuhan China has seen increasingly more women become victims of gender-based violence. While the globe has directed its attention and resources towards the epidemic, there is another pandemic that is rearing its ugly head; in which increasing attention has shifted towards the alarming abuse of women across the world. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres alludes to the fact that the violence women are facing “is not confined to the battlefield, but the threat looms largest where they should be safest.”, which is their very own home. There is no day that goes by without hearing about the excruciating and even brutal murder of a woman in the hands of those that they know better. It is a shame to think of statistics of women losing their lives because of gender-based violence.

South Africa, my beautiful country, with a wonderful Constitution in the World, is one of the country’s leading in gender-based violence and Gender discrimination. Gender based violence has spiraled out of control. “The South African government, the Commission for Gender Equality, and non-profit organizations advocating for women’s human rights have and continue to take critical steps to see to it that policies and frameworks to combat all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination against women see the light of the day”. Perpetrators of gender-based violence have so far, shown no mercy, they have displayed their unfair treatment towards women.

Since the lockdown (announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa due to Covid-19), in the first week of lockdown alone, SAPS recorded 2,300 GBV complaints (SAPS, 2020). Statistics revealed in August 2020 reveals that during the first week of the lockdown, 87 000 cases of GBV were reported across the country. This is alarming. Surely these cases have risen from that time. Therefore, it can be said that the high rates of gender-based violence are a huge concern for SA, and the feminist and gender movements. Statistics South Africa (2019) reveals shocking statistics of femicide which is 5 times higher than the global average. By implication, South African women are 5 times more likely to be killed as a result of gender-based violence committed by men. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) received the highest number of complaints about gender equality violations in 2016 (SAHRC, 2013-2017, p.11)....

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