By Thapelo Molefe
Nearly one-quarter of women in South Africa have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, according to a new report launched on Monday.
It warns that if the country is to make any significant changes, a more targeted and inclusive approach to gender-based violence (GBV) is essential.
In a historic step towards addressing GBV that is at crisis level in the country, the Human Sciences Research Council has published the first-ever National Gender-Based Violence Prevalence Study. It is a comprehensive survey on victimisation and perpetration of GBV across all nine provinces.
The study, which has been four years in the making, presents critical data that will inform future interventions and policies. It examines intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence and other forms of GBV.
Its findings underscore the widespread and deeply ingrained nature of violence in the country, and highlights disturbing trends, including the significantly higher rates of sexual IPV among women with disabilities.
“Women with disabilities showed a notably higher prevalence for lifetime violence, with 14.6% experiencing sexual IPV compared to 7.2% among women without disabilities. This stark contrast points to the critical need for targeted interventions for this vulnerable group,” HSRC acting divisional executive Nompumelelo Zungu said during the launch of the report in Tshwane.
The study also explored men’s experiences of violence, revealing that 1.3% of men admitted to perpetrating sexual violence against another man.
Furthermore, 20.4% of men reported experiencing physical violence outside their homes, while 2.3% indicated they had suffered from sexual violence in their lifetime.
“We cannot ignore that violence also affects men, although women remain the most impacted,” Zungu said.
“However, what this data tells us is that we need a more inclusive approach to understanding the issue of violence.”
With GBV affecting individuals across all age groups, the study finds that violence starts at an early age and continues throughout life. The youngest victims, primarily women and girls, are often subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
It points to the significant role that childhood trauma plays in shaping both victimisation and perpetration, with those who experience violence in childhood more likely to suffer or inflict violence later in life.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, stressed the urgency of tackling GBV.
“The release of this study is timely as it coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign,” she said.
“The findings paint a grim picture of our society, but they also underscore the critical need for urgent action. We cannot continue to allow GBV to devastate our families, communities and our nation.”
The study’s results also reveal a concerning disconnect between awareness and action. While high percentages of South Africans reported knowing about GBV laws and available services, it finds that this knowledge does not always translate into protective behaviours or seeking help.
This gap in awareness and action suggests that despite the significant legal and social resources available, many individuals are either unaware of how to seek help or are discouraged from doing so.
“We need to bridge the gap between what people know and how they act,” said Hazel Gooding, deputy representative of UN Women in South Africa.
“A multisectoral approach, where we integrate legal frameworks, social services and mental healthcare, is essential in addressing the root causes of violence.”
The study also notes the impact of socioeconomic factors, including substance abuse, poor mental health, childhood trauma and economic insecurity.
Economic vulnerability, particularly among women, is strongly linked to experiences of GBV, underscoring the need for economic empowerment initiatives.
“Addressing gender-based violence requires more than just legal interventions,” said Zungu.
“We need comprehensive strategies that address the root causes, including socioeconomic issues like food security, mental health and substance abuse.”
The data will be instrumental in developing a national GBV surveillance system, helping track trends and inform policy and prevention efforts moving forward.
Gooding echoed this sentiment, stating that the study would provide invaluable insights into how GBV affected various sections of the population.
“As we move toward 2030 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, it is essential that we accelerate efforts to end violence against women and girls,” she said.
“This study provides us with the evidence needed to shape future interventions and policies.”
The study’s findings have led to a call for a long-term, holistic approach to GBV. This approach will integrate early prevention initiatives, enhance support services, address socioeconomic inequalities and foster societal transformation around gender norms.
“The fight against gender-based violence is not a seasonal campaign; it’s a daily responsibility. We must take these findings seriously and commit ourselves to long-term action to break the cycle of violence,” Chikunga concluded.
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