PROJECT: UNDERSTANDING GBV, FEMICIDE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA
- Isabel Spies
- Sep 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 9
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South Africa faces a gender-based violence (GBV) crisis, with some of the highest rates globally.
These forms of violence are related but distinct, each requiring different interventions and legal responses.
DEFINITIONS:
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV):
GBV is an umbrella term for harmful acts directed at someone because of their gender, gender identity, or perceived gender role.
It includes physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse.
GBV can occur in public or private spaces and affects all genders, though women and girls are most vulnerable.
FEMICIDE:
Femicide is the intentional killing of a woman or girl because she is female.
It is the most extreme form of GBV and often results from prolonged abuse or societal attitudes that devalue women’s lives.
Intimate partner femicide—where a current or former partner kills a woman—accounts for over 60% of femicides in South Africa.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
Domestic violence is a subset of GBV, occurring within intimate, familial, or cohabiting relationships.
It includes physical assault, sexual violence, emotional abuse, stalking, and economic control.
Many femicides begin as domestic violence cases that escalate over time.
STATISTICS AND REAL-LIFE IMPACT:
South Africa’s statistics are staggering:
A woman is killed every three hours, making the country one of the most dangerous places in the world for women.
In the 2023/2024 reporting period, 5,578 women and 1,656 children were murdered, many in domestic contexts.
Over 42,000 rapes were reported in a single year—about 116 per day—but most sexual assaults go unreported.
More than 51% of South African women will experience GBV in their lifetime.
NOTABLE CASES:
Uyinene Mrwetyana (2019), whose rape and murder sparked the #AmINext movement.
Tshegofatso Pule (2020), a pregnant woman killed by her boyfriend, highlighting intimate partner femicide.
Olorato Mongale (2024), whose murder during a dating scam shocked the country and reignited calls for justice reform.
Justice for Cwecwe (#JusticeForCwecwe), a massive protest movement, demanded accountability after the alleged rape of a seven-year-old at school.
INTERSECTIONAL PERSPECTIVES:
GBV and femicide do not affect all women equally.
Intersectionality highlights how factors like poverty, race, disability, sexual orientation, and rural location increase vulnerability.
Poor women often lack access to safe housing or legal aid, forcing them to remain in abusive situations.
Rural survivors face geographic isolation, with limited access to police stations or shelters.
Migrant and undocumented women are often afraid to report abuse due to fear of deportation or discrimination.
These overlapping disadvantages mean that addressing GBV requires tailored interventions that consider these layers of vulnerability.
JUSTICE SYSTEM GAPS:
Despite strong laws, justice for survivors remains elusive:
UNDERREPORTING:
Less than 7% of survivors report GBV due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of trust in police.
LOW CONVICTION RATES:
In intimate partner femicide, conviction rates are under 20%, with 44% of cases having no identified suspect.
SECONDARY VICTIMISATION:
Survivors often face insensitive treatment by police or courts, discouraging them from pursuing justice.
CORRUPTION AND SYSTEMIC FAILURES:
Some perpetrators bribe officials to escape accountability, especially in rural areas with limited oversight.
BACKLOGS:
SAPS detective units are under-resourced, leading to years-long delays in investigations and trials.
LEGAL ROUTES:
South Africa has progressive laws, but implementation is inconsistent:
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT (1998, amended 2021):
Allows victims to obtain protection orders and outlines police duties.
SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT:
Criminalises sexual violence and provides survivor protections.
CRIMINAL AND RELATED MATTERS AMENDMENT ACT:
Strengthens bail conditions and sentencing for GBV-related crimes.
THUTHUZELA CARE CENTRES:
Offer integrated medical, psychosocial, and legal services, achieving 78% conviction rates for reported cases.
GBV DESKS AT SAPS STATIONS:
These include Victim Friendly Rooms (over 1,100 nationwide) ensure privacy and safety when reporting crimes.
While these routes exist, survivors need legal aid, psychosocial support, and community backing to navigate the system effectively.
GBV, domestic violence, and femicide form a continuum of violence, with domestic abuse often escalating to murder.
While South Africa has made progress through legal reforms and strategic plans, intersectional factors and justice system gaps continue to undermine efforts. Combating this crisis requires stronger policing and prosecution as well as social change to address inequality, economic vulnerability, and cultural norms that perpetuate violence.
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