ADDRESSING THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Precious Mupenzi

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) and violent discipline against children (VAC) are prevalent in South Africa, with long-term detrimental effects on both children and women, according to Professor Shanaaz Mathews from the University of Cape Town.
• Addressing a side initiative ahead of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, Mathews highlighted the need for coordinated, evidence-based interventions that target the shared risk factors and interconnected nature of IPV and VAC.
• Both experts and organisations gathered at the initiative stressed the importance of integrated approaches that transform harmful gender norms and promote non-violent discipline to prevent violence and improve outcomes for affected individuals.

“Both intimate partner violence (IPV) and violent discipline against children are widespread in South Africa, and children exposed to IPV suffer long-term consequences for their health, development, and well-being,” said Professor Shanaaz Mathews from the University of Cape Town. Speaking at a side initiative leading up to the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, Mathews emphasised the critical need for evidence-based interventions that address the interconnected nature of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). Her research has shown that these exposures not only perpetuate cycles of violence but also have gendered, intergenerational effects.

“The shared risk factors and the co-occurrence of VAW and VAC, especially in the home, show us that tackling these issues in isolation is not enough. We need coordinated approaches,” she added.

The gathering, co-hosted by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), alongside UNICEF, UN Women, and UNFPA, brought together various stakeholders to discuss the intersections of VAW and VAC. With the upcoming SVRI Forum focused on the theme of these intersections, the side initiative set the stage for exploring how integrated responses can strengthen prevention and improve support for affected individuals.

Professor Shanaaz Mathews added a powerful academic perspective, emphasising the intertwined nature of these two forms of violence. Drawing from her research, she highlighted the shared risk factors and the co-occurrence of VAW and VAC, especially in the home. “Both intimate partner violence (IPV) and violent discipline against children are widespread in South Africa. Children exposed to IPV, even indirectly, suffer long-term consequences for their health, development, and well-being,” she explained.

Prof Mathews underscored the importance of evidence-based interventions that simultaneously address both VAW and VAC. She noted that while family-based interventions are promising, they often lack the integration of gender transformation. “Improving parenting practices is key. Non-violent discipline techniques, gender equity education, and involving fathers in parenting programmes have been shown to reduce both forms of violence,” she said. Mathews also pointed to school-based programmes and community mobilisation efforts, which have demonstrated success in shifting harmful gender norms and reducing violence in various settings.

Building on Professor Mathews’ academic insights, Ms. Alessandra Guedes, Gender and Development Manager at UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, echoed the importance of evidence-based programmes that address the intersection of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). During her presentation, Guedes highlighted that integrated approaches are crucial in tackling these dual forms of violence. “We know that programmes focusing solely on violence against women or children, while effective, miss the opportunity to address the common drivers and risk factors that fuel both forms of violence,” she explained.

She pointed to successful initiatives, such as school-based programmes and community mobilisation strategies, that have proven effective in reducing both VAW and VAC. “The evidence shows that by transforming harmful gender norms and improving parenting practices, we can create safer environments for women and children alike,” Guedes added.

Both speakers emphasised the importance of strengthening family dynamics and supporting parents through gender-equality-focused parenting programmes, which have shown promising results in reducing violence within households.