Inspired by the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Gender and Development that aims to halve gender violence by 2015, the research conducted by GL uses inter-related tools to answer key questions relating to extent, effect,response, support, and prevention. The tools are a prevalence and attitudes household survey; analysis of administrative data gathered from the criminal justice system (police, courts), health services, and government-run shelter; as well as first-hand accounts of women’s and men’s experiences, or “I” Stories; media monitoring and political content analysis.
The study in the four provinces confirms the disturbingly high prevalence of violence against women in South Africa,a country with one of the most progressive constitutions on gender equality in the world. Patriarchal societal norms,and the conspiracy of silence that discourages women from speaking out fuels GBV. The study also reveals the immense lack of awareness about protective laws particularly the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act and current VAW prevention campaigns.
Click here for the summary findings of theVAW baseline studies in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo provinces of South Africa
