Women Continue To Live In Fear Of Abuse In South Africa

Women and children continue to live in fear in South Africa where gender-based violence and femicide has almost become a pandemic, the nation's Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities minister said Tuesday.

"As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, our country is also faced with the second pandemic of gender-based violence and femicide," Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said during the launch of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women.

Statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele earlier this month show nearly 9,000 rape cases were reported between July and September.

Nkoana-Mashabane said the government's efforts for the new campaign will continue its efforts to end all forms of violence.

The minister said the economic empowerment of women is one of the government's important components aimed at eradicating violence and femicide and building a non-sexist country.

"South Africa is in the process of ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO) C190 which establishes a global standard for the protection of women in the world of work," according to Nkoana-Mashabane, who said South Africa made a commitment to earmark 40% preferential procurement to women-owned businesses.

"In order to eradicate gender-based violence and femicide, we need society and government to work together to break the silence, report abuse and for men and boys to be partners," she said. -