08/02/2016
Gender-based violence is a persistent worldwide problem, occurring in every culture in all societies. The underlying problem seems to be that many societies consider it a ‘private’ affair and therefore ‘acceptable’. However, women in different social classes, races, age groups, s*xual orientation groups; both in rural and in urban areas are vulnerable to violence perpetrated by men. It is deeply ingrained in societies and has serious impacts on women’s health and well-being. Although in South Africa, 16 days of activism against violence on women and children have been set aside; violence pervades our societies on a daily basis with total disregard to the laws, and the conventions that our countries are signatories to. What is more disheartening is that, whilst the laws are available, whenever a brutal act of violence against women and children happens, and the statistics are presented by the police to the public, life seems to go on.
Sadly, the work of reducing the scourge is left to a few committed individuals and civil society organizations, to continue to support victims, as well as lobby for the dignity, freedom, and security of women. Sustainable development can never be realized when women and children are petrified and brutalized by violence and any other form of gender based discrimination of which the state has a duty to prevent.
http://www.pambazuka.net/en/category.php/features/86325
A Reader Sylvia Tamale A groundbreaking book, accessible but scholarly, by African activists. It uses research, life stories and artistic expression to examine dominant and deviant s*xualities, and investigate the intersections between s*x, power, masculinities and femininitiesBuy now