Violence against women and children

Government hosts an on-going campaign to voice our anger against violence against women and children. We have to find ways of making our homes and communities safe for all, especially for women and children.

Violence against women takes many forms - physical, sexual, economic, psychological - but all of these represent a violation of human dignity and human rights and have lasting consequences both for women themselves and for their communities.

Research shows that domestic violence against women remains widespread and under-reported, and that victims of violence are not effectively supported by public services. Insufficient specialised services for women and children who are victims of violence and the absence of professional services to victims is only a few of the reasons for non-reporting.

Measures in place to help women and children to fight abuse.

  • Thuthuzela care centres are one-stop centres which enable rape victims to lodge a case with the police and receive counselling and medical care. They are located in various areas in the country marred by high incidence of violence against women and children.
  • The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 was enacted to give survivors of violence maximum protection from domestic abuse. Women, who are mostly at the receiving end of domestic violence, now have a legal recourse that will ensure their protection.
  • Government has established the National Council Against Gender Based Violence (NCAGBV) to provide strategic leadership, coordination and management of gender-based violence initiatives in South Africa. The Council is chaired by the Deputy President and championed by the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
  • Furthermore, Government has in place legislative provisions that specifically address violence and abuse of women and children.
    • The Children’s Act, 2005 and Children’s Amendment Act, 2007 were enacted to, among other things, protect a child from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation.
    • The Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill will bring about the realisation of women empowerment in all spheres of our society by enforcing compliance in both government and the private sector.
  • The National Action Plan commits the country to a sustained long-term commitment to ensure that the dynamism of changing norms and attitudes is addressed.
  • Government is working on holistic and comprehensive approach that is multi-sectoral in its drive to achieve women empowerment and gender equality.
  • We will continue to involve men and boys as campaigners and survivors who prove that the cycle of violence can be broken.

Government blogs

Speeches and statements by government

- Minister Bathabile Dlamini: Launch of pilot phase of Command Centre on Gender-Based Violence

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