UNPACKING THE COMPLEXITIES OF FEMICIDE IN SOUTH AFRICA

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa faces an alarming femicide crisis, with an average of five to six women murdered daily by intimate partners, underscoring the urgent need for action on gender-based violence.
• Despite decades of research and progressive legal frameworks, systemic issues in law enforcement, societal attitudes, and media representation continue to hinder meaningful progress in reducing intimate partner violence and femicide.
• Dr Nechama Brodie calls for coordinated, actionable interventions, greater focus on media accountability, and improved gun control measures to address the pervasive violence against women in South Africa.

The 4th Shelter Indaba, currently underway in Sandton, has brought critical issues surrounding violence against women in South Africa to the forefront, with a particular focus on financial violence, intimate partner violence, and femicide. The alarming statistics underscore the urgency of these discussions. Dr Nechama Brodie points out that, on average, five to six women are murdered daily by intimate partners in the country, revealing a pervasive crisis of domestic violence.

Dr Nechama Brodie, journalist, researcher, and lecturer provided crucial insights from her extensive research into fatal violence, particularly intimate partner murders. Despite decades of research and the availability of strategies to combat this violence, Brodie expressed concern that effective action remains elusive. She advocates for a shift away from bureaucratic inertia towards actionable, measurable interventions that can create real change. This sentiment reflects a broader concern that, while awareness and resources exist, systemic issues and societal attitudes hinder progress in reducing violence against women.

Dr Brodie highlighted the grim reality of femicide in South Africa, stating, “Researching violence in a country like South Africa—a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world, and where women are murdered at a rate more than five times the world average—I am fortunate to work with and learn from a truly remarkable group of scholars and professionals.”

She emphasised that studies over the past two decades consistently show that the majority of female homicides are committed by current or former intimate partners, typically boyfriends or husbands. Despite this knowledge, Brodie pointed out that “in 44% of reported cases, police had not even identified a perpetrator during their investigation.” This raises the critical question of why these known patterns remain obscured to investigating officers.

Brodie also examined media representation of femicide, highlighting that “while intimate partner killings make up the majority of femicides, they do not make up a majority of news reporting.” The media often focuses on murders committed by unknown assailants rather than addressing the violence happening at home, perpetrated by those who profess love for their partners. She noted that families and communities frequently prioritise the myth of marriage as a cornerstone of social values over the rights of women to live safely and freely.

Additionally, she revealed that “the most common way boyfriends and husbands murder their girlfriends or wives is with a legally owned firearm,” with 35% of intimate partner femicides and 38% of non-intimate femicides committed using a gun. Tragically, these intimate partner killings often occur with a single shot to the face. Instead of improving gun control measures—which research shows can significantly reduce all homicides, including femicide—Brodie criticised the misguided narrative from lobbyists advocating for more armed women, quipping, “As if the answer to the country’s femicide problem is mummy and daddy having a shootout in the living room.” Her insights highlight the urgent need for systemic changes in both law enforcement and media narratives to effectively address the widespread issue of violence against women.

Collaboration among scholars, healthcare professionals, and advocates is crucial in understanding the multifaceted nature of violence and developing comprehensive solutions. The involvement of diverse disciplines enriches the discourse, providing insights that can lead to innovative approaches in addressing these pervasive issues.

Dr Brodie also pointed to the inconsistent nature of South Africa’s legal framework regarding gender-based violence and women’s rights. She noted, “While the country boasts progressive laws that protect and recognise women, acknowledging diverse family structures and the rights of queer and trans individuals, the implementation of these laws remains a significant challenge.” Despite the existence of a National Strategic Plan that is among the most inclusive in addressing violence against women, Brodie emphasised that the reality on the ground often contradicts this legal progress.

She argued that the effectiveness of new legislation, including the establishment of a National Council on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide, depends on “genuine, coordinated efforts among stakeholders to translate these frameworks into meaningful action.” Furthermore, she pointed out that the recognition of all forms of relationships, particularly those involving sex workers, still requires significant attention. Brodie’s insights underscore the urgent need for continued advocacy and action to truly realise the rights enshrined in law, moving beyond legal frameworks to ensure that protections are felt in everyday lives.

Dr Brodie concluded with the sobering statistics surrounding femicide in South Africa. “Every day, an average of five to six women are murdered by a current or former intimate partner,” she said, highlighting the grim reality that these violent acts are often not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of abuse. She stressed that the fatal act is usually the culmination of ongoing violence, with the majority of these homicides committed by intimate partners.