As we move towards the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV), the newly published South African Handbook of Agency, Freedom and Justice: Citizens in Conversation, reminds us that GBV remains one of the most critical challenges in South Africa today, threatening the foundational values of equality, dignity and freedom in the constitution.
Recognising its devastating impact on individuals, families and society, the book contextualises the scourge within historical patriarchy and systemic inequality and urges meaningful change as a moral and constitutional imperative.
Contributors such as Constitutional Court justice Leona Theron and sociologist Tembeka Ngcebetsha-Mooij explore the multifaceted nature of GBV — its links to economic inequality and entrenched patriarchal norms, and the gaps between policy and implementation, providing a roadmap for addressing this epidemic. With GBV plaguing communities across the country, the book’s insights could not be more timely or relevant. By framing GBV as a constitutional and moral crisis, it compels every sector of society to confront this issue head-on and lays the foundation for meaningful change.
The book calls for systemic transformation, challenging harmful norms and promoting gender equality as a national value
Theron contends that GBV is a symptom of deeply rooted societal inequality. Its persistence undermines South Africa’s human rights, and obstructs our progress toward a more just and inclusive society. She argues that despite a robust legal framework, the country has struggled to enforce these laws effectively.
Theron’s insights are particularly weighty against the backdrop of recent events, such as the rise in femicides and violent crimes reported during Women’s Month. Cases such as the murders of Tshegofatso Pule and Uyinene Mrwetyana expose the grim reality that South African women face an epidemic of violence, which echoes in the lives of countless others whose stories go unheard.
One of Theron’s proposals is to establish specialised GBV courts to handle cases with the urgency and sensitivity they require. She also calls for training and reform within police services, ensuring officers are equipped to investigate GBV cases without victim-blaming and to prioritise survivor safety.
Economic vulnerability is a major contributor to the crisis, and this is an issue the contributors to the book tackle in depth. The economic impacts of inequality are visible in the lives of countless women, particularly those in low-income communities, who often find themselves financially dependent on their abusers.
Ngcebetsha-Mooij links GBV to traditional gender roles and patriarchal norms exacerbated by South Africa’s colonial and apartheid history. Her research shows that these roles have left women economically dependent and culturally conditioned to accept certain forms of control and violence. This analysis highlights that South Africa’s history continues to jeopardise women, making the fight against GBV inseparable from the fight for economic justice.
For instance, many survivors of GBV report that their cases are dismissed or mishandled, reflecting a systemic problem of gender bias in law enforcement.
The book insists that South Africa must dismantle the patriarchal structures embedded in institutions such as the police and judiciary, which have historically failed to protect women or to take their complaints seriously. The book calls for systemic transformation, challenging harmful norms and promoting gender equality as a national value. Achieving gender equality and eradicating violence are crucial steps toward a just and inclusive society.
The book calls for a culture that fosters respect and safety, and urges public institutions to lead by example. Theron and her co-contributors argue that a shift in cultural attitudes is necessary to dismantle the entrenched sexism and violence against women that are so prevalent in South Africa. By advocating for awareness campaigns and educational programmes that target men and boys, they underscore the importance of addressing the root causes and entrenched attitudes that drive GBV.
The book proposes a comprehensive approach:
- The government must fulfil its constitutional duty to protect all citizens, ensuring policies are sensitive to the specific needs of GBV survivors;
- Every South African must actively challenge attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence;
- Access to education, employment and resources is essential for breaking the cycle of dependency and vulnerability that traps women in violent relationships;
- Gender equality, conflict resolution and respectful relationships should be taught in schools, workplaces and communities. Programmes must also engage men and boys to build an inclusive culture of respect;
- Community leaders, religious institutions and civil society must work together to reshape norms around gender and violence. Conversations must engage men and boys about values of respect and equality; and
- Media outlets should approach GBV with responsibility, avoiding sensationalism and emphasising the need for collective action and change.
Theron and other contributors contend that this is a societal issue that requires involvement of everyone from the government and law enforcement to communities and individuals. Failing to prosecute perpetrators creates a culture of impunity, emboldening offenders and leaving survivors without justice.
The contributors make it clear that ending GBV is essential for realising broader constitutional goals of freedom and justice. The book offers a framework for a South Africa that works collectively toward the ideal of eliminating GBV.
• Khoza is an academic and business leader. This week he won the Sunday Times/BCX Lifetime Achiever Award.
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