Gender Based Violence is a profound and widespread problem in South Africa,

impacting almost every aspect of life.

Gender Based Violence( GBV) is violence directed against a person because of their
gender. Both women and men experience gender-based violence but the majority of
victims are women and girls.This violent human rights violation and gender inequality
is of growing concern in South Africa and according to Violence against Women in
South Africa, A Country Crisis study published by Centre for the Study of Violence
and Reconciliation (CSVR), the recorded murder rate of 24.7 per 100,000 females in
South Africa is significantly higher than global levels.

South Africa’s 2016 Demographic and Health Survey indicates that one in five
women older than 18 has experienced physical violence. This figure is reportedly
higher in the poorest households, where at least one in three women has reported
physical violence. A 2009 Medical Research Council study reported that three
women die at the hands of their intimate partner every day, putting the femicide rate
at five times more than the global average. It is

These shocking statistics blatantly prove that Gender Based Violence in South Africa
is an issue that is widespread and highly profound and is quickly becoming the main
narrative of many innocent women and children living in South Africa.

Gender Based Violence not only directly affects the lives of the victimised women,
but impacts almost every aspect of their lives. Women and children who have
suffered at the hands of Gender Based Violence suffer from psychological, physical,
health, behavioural, family life and economic effects after their life changing
experiences.

Psychologically women may develop many psychological diseases, such as

depression, PTSD, fearfulness, low self-esteem and in the worst cases, an increase
in suicidal tendencies due to their experiences.

Gender Based Violence also impacts the victims physically. Many women often get
severe physical wounds at the hands of their perpetrators. These physical wounds
can range from small scratches and scars on the face to fatal injuries like broken
arms, ribs, legs or even throwing acid onto the bodies and faces of the victims.

Gender Based Violence affects the health of many women and children who have
experienced it. Many women suffer from drug addictions and alcohol abuse after
having experienced this abuse. Women and many young children may also get
sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and even HIV/AIDS because
of Gender Based Violence. An estimated 16% of all HIV infections in women could be
prevented if women did not experience domestic violence from their partners.
There are many behavioural changes in women and children who have experienced
or are experiencing Gender Based Violence. Many of them feel uneasy in public
areas and always want to be alone. It has been observed that children who have
suffered from any violence in their life often do/ practise the same violence when
they are older.

Gender Based Violence has a big effect on the family life of the victims as well.
Victims of families often are tense and unhealthy. Children usually will also find it
difficult to communicate with their classmates,as a result.

Lastly Gender Based Violence also has economic effects. More than half of the
South African population consists of women and girls and so the violence and killing
of our women and girls means a less chance of people that can work together to
boost the economy.

There are many ways that Gender Based Violence in South Africa can be reduced.
For example, supporting women's rights organisations, increasing the healthcare
available to women and children that have been abused through Gender Based
Violence. The government should invest in programs that empower women and
provide employment to women so that they can rely less on males because this is
the reason they often stay in these abusive relationships.