On the 12 November 2020 from 10h00 – 12h00, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) will be hosting a webinar on Alcohol and Substance Abuse as Contributing Factors in Gender – Based Violence and Femicide (GBV-F).
South Africa is rated amongst the countries with the highest numbers of GBV-F cases. This has prompted even the President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Honourable Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa to declare GBV-F a second pandemic along with the then emerging Corona Virus. According to the study by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) 1 in 3 women are likely to suffer abuse at the hands of a partner. The same study further indicates that I in 6 women are likely to die at the hands of their partners. This in part is attributed to alcohol and substance abuse.
During the corona virus pandemic Level 5 Lockdown period, government had banned the sale of alcohol as it was reported to be contributing to high numbers of people admitted to hospitals across the country, thus exacerbating the health impact resulting from the corona virus pandemic.
Panellists are:
- Mr. Bafana Khumalo- Co-Founder/Co-Executive (Sonke Gender Justice)
- Dr. Leane Ramsoomar - Hariparsaad – Public Health Researcher and Research Uptake Specialist, Gender & Health Research Unit (GHRU) (South African Medical Research Council).
- Ms. Lindiwe Octavia Ntuli-Tloubatla - Commissioner (Commission for Gender Equality)
- Ms. Zhuldyz AKISHEVA, UNODC Regional Representative
- Ms. Faith Mazibuko, MEC for Safety & Security (Gauteng)
Moderator
Busisiwe Deyi, –Commissioner, Commission for Gender Equality
Through this Webinar, the CGE seeks to highlight the need to have a sober discussion around alcohol and substance abuse as contributing factors in Gender-based violence.
As the Gender Commission, through our policy brief we are recommending that: Introduce minimum unit pricing on the sale of alcohol, including by increasing excise tax on the price of alcohol. For instance, studies have indicated how a 10% increase in price causes a 4.4% fall in consumption. A similar meta-analysis of the impact of altering alcohol tax showed that a doubling of tax led to a 35% reduction in alcohol-related mortality; Government in general and law enforcement agencies in particular should adopt a stern approach to dealing with alcohol abuse, through strict enforcement of current legislation dealing with alcohol including withdrawal of licenses from liquor traders that do not comply with regulations and Conduct public awareness and educational campaigns on the consequences and dangers of alcohol abuse, including fatalities resulting from gender-based violence, drunk driving, etc. The campaign should include the public and private media institutions, civil society organisations, schools and institutions of higher education.
The Commission is convinced that the deliberations from the Webinar will assist the country in developing appropriate policy and programme interventions to address alcohol and substance abuse as contributing factors in gender – based violence.
Enquiries:
Contact Person: Javu Baloyi
Tel: 083 579 3306
The Commission for Gender Equality is established in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in order to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.
Twitter Handle: @CGE_ZA. Facebook Page: Gender Commission of South Africa. Toll Free Number: 0800 007 709. GBV Toll Free Number: 0800 428 428, Stop Gender Violence: 0800 150 150 Witness, Survivors and victims of GBV can send Please Call Me at *120*7867#
