In rural Mpumalanga, a group of determined young women is taking the fight against gender-based violence beyond police stations and courtrooms — into the heart of their own communities, where harmful traditional norms often go unchallenged.
Young Women for Life, a grassroots movement representing rape survivors and young women affected by gender-based violence, has been holding a series of dialogues with traditional leaders to confront the cultural practices and beliefs that contribute to violence against women and girls.
The meetings, held in several villages across the province, are part of the movement’s broader mission: to change not just laws and policies, but also the social norms that allow violence to persist. For many young women, these conversations are long overdue.
“Too often, harmful traditions are used to justify the abuse of women,” said one Young Women for Life member. “We have to talk about the way certain cultural expectations limit women’s freedom, silence survivors, and make violence seem normal. If we don’t talk about it, nothing will change.”
The dialogues have not shied away from difficult topics. The young women raised concerns about deeply entrenched gender roles, the policing of women’s behaviour, and the belief that women should remain silent about abuse to protect the family’s or community’s honour. They also spoke about the pressure on survivors not to report rape, and the stigma they face when they do.
Crucially, the discussions acknowledged the complexity of culture and tradition — and the difference between practices that build strong communities and those that perpetuate inequality. “Culture should never be a weapon against women,” one participant said. “It should be something that protects and uplifts us.”
Some traditional leaders responded positively, expressing willingness to examine long-held norms and work with young women to create safer communities. “We cannot ignore the reality that our daughters, sisters, and mothers are suffering,” said one chief. “As custodians of tradition, we also have a responsibility to adapt and grow.”
The dialogues represent an important shift in how gender-based violence is addressed in rural South Africa. While police reforms, legal processes, and awareness campaigns remain crucial, many activists argue that lasting change requires confronting harmful social norms at their roots — and that means involving traditional leaders, who wield significant influence in rural life.
For the young women involved, the conversations are also about reclaiming agency. “We are often told that tradition is fixed, that we have no say,” said another member. “But traditions are made by people — and they can be changed by people. We want to be part of shaping a culture that values women and keeps us safe.”
As the meetings continue, Young Women for Life hopes they will lead to more sustained collaboration with traditional authorities — including community-led education campaigns, public declarations against gender-based violence, and the development of new cultural practices that promote equality.
The message from these young women is clear: the struggle against gender-based violence cannot succeed without confronting the norms that sustain it. And that work must happen not just in cities and courts, but in villages and traditional councils — in the spaces where culture is lived and defined.
“We respect our traditions,” one activist concluded, “but we also believe tradition must evolve. If a practice hurts women, it is not worth protecting.”
