gbvlatest news & developments
Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia. Photo: GCIS

GBV pandemic at our doorstep

Violence against women has become one of the most pervasive public health emergencies in modern history

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
Black power: Women throughout the country – including some men – took to the streets in a lie-down protest against femicide and gender-based violence, which took place last Friday. They were dressed in black, and bursts of purple.

Confronting our innate perceptions to tackle gender-based violence

We cannot treat GBV only at its point of eruption. We must go upstream to the formation of identity and gender norms. This means funding and institutionalising programmes that work with boys and men, teaching and empowering them that manhood is not domination, that power does not have to harm, and that accountability is a form of strength.

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
One in every five girls across sub-Saharan Africa has experienced rape or sexual assault before turning 18 . Photo: File

Gender-based violence a cycle of silence, outrage and forgotten names

We need to ensure gender-based violence stays on the agenda beyond the headlines and the hashtags during Women’s Month

4 min read
Diversity, equity and inclusion threatens a dominant narrative — whiteness, heterosexuality, patriarchy

Diversity, equity and inclusion kills: Why we need to stop advocating for it

If power and accountability remain unchanged, inclusion efforts do not create equity — they reinforce vulnerability

8 min read
Browned off: R&B star Chris Brown appears in court in Los Angeles in 2014 after assaulting singer Rihanna, with whom he was in a relationship. Photo: Lucy Nicholson-Pool/Getty Images

Chris Brown: Should home affairs have acted?

The US musician, who has a history of violence against women, is set to perform in Johannesburg

  • Aarti Bhana
7 min read
During the global 16 days of activism campaign against violence against women and children, South African shelters for such victims fear a lack of funding could lead to many of them returning to their abusers or living on the streets.

Women’s shelters face closure over government funding shortage

Shelters also worry about a repeat of the Life Esidemeni tragedy if the government does not provide adequate funding to fill the skills gap of workers

  • Umamah Bakharia
6 min read

Nedbank takes a bold stand against financial abuse: adverts to carry warning labels as the bank collaborates with POWA for 16 Days of Activism

From November 25 to December 10, Nedbank will feature a stark warning strip on its TV, radio, print, and online adverts as part of its campaign in support of 16 Days of Activism

5 min read
The Svri Opening Plenary Panel.

SVRI Forum 2024: From crisis to change

Survivor-leaders call for global action against GBV

  • Derek Davey
4 min read
Advocate Shamila Batohi addresses the Private Sector Symposium against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. File photo

PSC launched to combat workplace GBVH 

The Private Sector Coalition brings SA businesses together to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and harassment

  • Derek Davey
15 min read

Austerity is a silent war on survivors of gender-based violence

The support systems that GBV survivors depend on are being damaged by cost cuts, making it harder for them to escape violence and seek justice

4 min read
Protesters march against gender-based violence, organised by several NGO?s and organisations at the JSE in Sandton on 13 September 2019 in Sandton after the murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana. (Photo by Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

In South Africa, women are always afraid of attacks

Some women spoke to the Mail & Guardian about frequently looking over their shoulder in fear of danger.

  • Umamah Bakharia
7 min read
Stop killing us: Five times as many South African women are killed by intimate partners than the global average; women with disabilities are 10 times more vulnerable. Photo Sharon Seretlo/Getty Images

Gender-based violence affects one in three women regardless of income group

A report by the Tears Foundation has highlighted that women don’t report cases to the police and call for help from work, emphasising the need for personal, confidential services

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
Justice ministry stands by its opposition to constitutional challenge to Sexual Offences Act

Justice ministry stands by its opposition to constitutional challenge to Sexual Offences Act

The applicants asked for the definition of consent in the Act to be declared unconstitutional

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read

Working to Materialise African Women’s Agency 

Reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market are the main areas of focus

  • Derek Davey
3 min read
s of 2023, it is estimated that one in three women and girls between ages 15 and 49, have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

GBV a ‘painful indictment on SA society’

According to the police, 53 900 South Africans have reported being victims of a sexual offences in 2022 and 2023 This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read

No boy is born an abuser: GBV can be eradicated before it starts

More than 300 000 men have learnt how to be good men, fathers, mentors, and role models through Father A Nation’s programmes

  • Derek Davey
4 min read