LANGUAGE MATTERS: RELOOKING HOW MESSAGES ARE CONVEYED IN MISSION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND WOMEN

 Cuma Pantshwa

• The way we use language in addressing violence against women and children is crucial, as terminology can influence societal perceptions and behaviours. 
• At an engagement organised by DSD and UNICEF, experts discussed the importance of inclusive language in framing issues like gender-based violence (GBV) and the intersection between violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). 
• Highlighting the need for gender-sensitive, child-friendly messaging, speakers challenged the use of terminology that may exclude boys and men or fail to resonate with vulnerable populations. 

“The word ‘gender’ has become a lightning rod. There are some spaces where we can’t even use the word ‘gender’, and we have to work around it.”  

These words were spoken by Ms Alessandra Guedes, Gender and Development Research Manager, during an engagement initiated by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and UNICEF, under the theme: “Addressing the Intersection Between Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women”—a prelude to the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum 2024. The SVRI Forum, a key international conference on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality in low- and middle-income countries, will take place in Cape Town from 21 to 25 October 2024. The forum will focus on the critical issue of violence against women and violence against children, as well as the intersections between the two.

Ms Guedes highlighted the importance of using inclusive terminology. “The point is to emphasise that we should be looking at both boys and girls, as well as women. UNICEF uses this terminology: Violence against girls, boys, and women.” UNICEF’s Child Protection Strategy (2021-2030) underscores the importance of addressing intersectional violence and promoting gender equality to safeguard children’s well-being.

Ms Guedes echoed sentiments shared by Ms Aleta Miller from the UN Women Multi-Country Office, who also spotlighted the significance of language, particularly critiquing the term “GBV” (Gender-based Violence), which is predominantly used in South Africa. Ms Miller challenged the stakeholders to reconsider how messages are conveyed. “Language is powerful. Language matters. How we convey our messages is very important. In our organisation, we say ‘Ending/Stop Violence Against Children, or Ending Violence Against Women’,” she said. She also noted that research indicated that most South Africans perceived the term GBV as being “female-focused” and not necessarily inclusive of boys or men.

Representing the voices of 21 million South African children was Inathi Kente, a representative of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. Kente highlighted that children had identified several gaps and issues with the current National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), stating that the language used was too complex and “not child-friendly”. He explained that the use of big words creates a barrier, making it difficult for children to understand, which in turn hinders meaningful engagement. 

Young Kente also pointed out that the NSP-GBVF often omits the boy/male child, suggesting that GBVF is not gender-biased as it fails to address violence against boys or men. One of the children’s recommendations for addressing this gap was to create programmes and interventions that specifically target boys and male children.

The consensus among stakeholders was clear: language plays a crucial role in changing behaviours, societal norms, and values. By harnessing the power of language to develop gender-sensitive policies and programmes, attendees were united in their belief that inclusive narratives promote equality, justice, and safety for all.