Not enough is being done to end the scourge of GBV – Gender Activists say

Lerato Mbhiza

Gender based violence in South Africa has become a big challenge and while President Cyril Ramphosa has declared GBV as a “second pandemic”, the tide is yet to turn as crime statistics have shown. 

Violence against women compromises both physical and emotional well being. Reports suggest that GBV intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic as victims were no longer able to escape their attacker. This forced the government to dedicate funds to fight GBV.

The 2023/2002 second-quarter crime statistics from Police Minister Bheki Cele showed that South Africa recorded 10,516 rapes, 1,514 cases of attempted murder, and 14,401 assaults charges against female victims in July, August, and September.

Ramaphosa said around R21 billion was dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.

New laws were introduced to strengthen the response of the criminal justice system to