A culture of silence allows gender-based violence to escalate
This is something that was highlighted at the imbizo organized today by the Mpumalanga Chapter of the Young Women for Life Movement, in partnership with the esteemed Lomshiyo Tribal Authority.
The young women for life in Mpumalanga is situated in rural areas. They have managed to mobilize traditional leaders to become agents of change in tackling of gender based violence. They have managed to convince them to conduct regular traditional meetings of the community, which are called imbizo.
Today, this event was strategically held during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign as well as the World AIDS Day commemorations, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the matters at hand.
During the Imbizo, the participants noted that, across the globe, too many victims of femicides go uncounted, because their deaths are not accurately documented as femicides, and gender-based violence continues to be under-reported. South Africa is no exception to this.
“We still have a lot of unreported cases of abuse against our girls and women,” says Madonsela, describing how families would discourage survivors from speaking out and try to “settle” the issue through family meetings or arrangements of monetary compensation.
“This culture of silence perpetuates vicious cycles [of violence] across generations. Often, children who witness violence at home either internalize the trauma or replicate the behaviour,” explains Madonsela.
Although many interventions and policy efforts are underway, there are significant gaps in the justice system response. The national femicide study in South Africa also revealed that in 44 per cent of femicide cases, the police failed to identify a perpetrator.
The imbizo placed a sharp focus on the pervasive rape crisis that has been plaguing local communities, as well as the alarmingly high rates of HIV infections among young women and the concerning prevalence of teenage pregnancies, particularly in Mpumalanga province and the Ehlanzeni District. Through powerful discussions, moving testimonials, and the collective wisdom of the participants, the imbizo produced a set of thoughtful, action-oriented resolutions that will undoubtedly shape the Young Women for Life Movement’s strategic response to these critical challenges going forward. We wholeheartedly commend and congratulate the Mpumalanga Chapter for their exceptional dedication, leadership, and tireless efforts in organizing this momentous event. Their work is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of grassroots activism and community-driven change.
