Despite significant legal protections, gender-based violence (GBV) is a persistent, harrowing reality for many girls and women in South Africa. This month, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released and handed over to the government, the First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study, 2022. Gathering data from both victims and perpetrators, the study provides significant insights into both the prevalence and causes of GBV.
3 reasons why South Africa’s GBV is predominately a men’s issue
The HRSC GBV perpetrator data include these alarming key findings:
- Hazardous alcohol consumption, a history of engaging in transactional sex, poor mental health, childhood trauma, and inequitable attitudes toward gender relations all influence intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated by men.
- Male GBV perpetrators commonly have deeply ingrained, culturally influenced perceptions of gender norms and power dynamics, and a troubling acceptance of male aggression and dominance.
- Despite high rates of awareness of existing GBV legislative frameworks and policies some South African men still justify violence in certain circumstances and perceive the country’s laws as overly lenient toward women.
This year, some South African men are taking a stand to support the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV in innovative ways. There is increased recognition that campaigns aiming at preventing GBV must directly engage men and boys in behaviour change strategies. As the HRSC GBV study shows, there is no way to move the needle forward without challenging the traditional male norms and gender stereotypes that foster and normalise male violence against women and girls. In addition, the issue of men’s mental health urgently needs to be addressed
Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder of The Character Company (TCC) says, “It’s beyond time for men to speak up about GBV and take a stand in their homes, workplaces and communities as South Africa’s champions of gender equality. It is critical for boys to see their fathers and other adult males in their lives model values such as honesty, courage, respect and empathy in the nation’s conversations about GBV. We also need men to take proactive actions to create safe spaces for boys and men to discuss their issues of childhood trauma and mental health.
“It must be said though that we won’t ever solve GBV in South Africa over 16 days. This needs to be an everyday effort. The messages we hear over these 16 days must become the ways we talk about GBV for 365 days a year. And we can’t just talk, we need to come together to agree on the ways to take actions that result in measurable change. Every year, South Africa’s GBV rates just escalate. Talking about it is not enough.”
TCC is a non-profit organisation connecting volunteer male mentors with boys who are growing up with absent fathers and a lack of positive male role models. Jaco continues, “In tandem with the country’s high rates of GBV, we also have such a large proportion of boys who lack healthy male figures that they can look up to, and this lack of affirming fathers and male role models is experienced as chronic, childhood trauma.
Fatherless boys often struggle to build healthy male identities, and without guidance, they can easily internalise harmful ideas about masculinity or turn to popular influencers who promote toxic masculinity, and GBV. Fatherless boys are more vulnerable to bullying and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and social isolation. TCC takes a stand against this by providing boys with ‘social fathers’, and by this, we mean good-hearted, courageous men who volunteer to mentor, guide, and inspire them to grow up with emotional intelligence and self-discipline while treating others with respect and empathy.”
TCC’s participation in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. The organisation is tackling issues like gender equality, consent, and male mental health and encouraging South African men to reflect on their male identities and become active agents of positive change in their communities.
Jaco concludes, “As the country continues to battle the epidemic of GBV, TCC believes that investing in our boys is one of the most powerful ways to bring lasting change to our society. South African men are invited to step up and join our movement. You can donate to support a boy’s participation in TCC’s value-based programme or volunteer as a consistent, committed mentor and make a tangible difference in a boy’s life—and in South Africa’s future. We can’t do this on our own though, we all need to work together, 365 days a year. At TCC, we call on South African men and organisations to partner with us, to provide practical support and be intentional about men turning the tide against GBV in South Africa.”
Compiled by: Sisanda Mnyango
Also see: Tips to helping someone experiencing domestic abuse
