“WHERE IS IT SAFE TO BE A WOMAN?”

• The recent dialogue on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) held in Virginia, Free State, highlighted the urgent need to address South Africa’s high rates of femicide, rape, and assault, with disturbing statistics and community concerns underscoring the crisis.
• Key speakers, including Free State Premier Mme MaQueen Mathae, law enforcement representatives, and community leaders, emphasised collaborative efforts and community responsibility to combat GBVF, with specific attention to the safety of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
• The event included calls for increased accountability, such as the crackdown on illegal establishments contributing to violence, and focused on nurturing a culture of love, support, and proactive family engagement to curb violence at its roots.

On 10 November 2024, a face-to-face discussion on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) took place at the Multi-purpose Centre in Virginia, Free State. The purpose of this dialogue was to identify the root causes and consequences of these crimes and to find solutions to address them.

According to recent statistics, the second quarter of 2023/2024 saw over 10,000 reported rape cases and more than 14,000 assaults. South Africa’s femicide rate is also more than five times the global average. In the Free State, six cases of GBV and femicide have been reported in the Mangaung Metro district in the past six months, excluding cases in other districts. Free State Premier Mme MaQueen Mathae stated, “Bloemfontein has the disturbing distinction of being a leading town in the killing of women, with the majority of victims being killed by their intimate partners.” Additionally, provincial statistics reveal that over 1,000 girls between the ages of 10 and 18 have reported unwanted pregnancies due to rape or sexual exploitation by older men.

The Premier emphasised the importance of honesty and open communication, urging everyone to inform their loved ones of their whereabouts and encouraging women to speak out against all forms of abuse. She reminded the Meloding and surrounding communities that LGBTQ+ individuals are also victims of GBVF and should be included in efforts to combat these crimes. “It is tragic that people with disabilities are also subjected to abuse, often because they are unable to speak out against their perpetrators,” she said.

The Premier also addressed the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding a notorious “spot” in Reddersburg, Xhariep district, which illegally sells alcohol and has caused significant problems in the Matoporong community. Young people frequently gather at this establishment from morning until late at night, resulting in violent fights fuelled by substance abuse. “Shockingly, the 82-year-old owner of this illegal operation has been accused of raping numerous young girls in the neighbourhood,” said the Premier. She challenged the police to take immediate action against this establishment, as it has devastated the community.

In support of the Premier’s call, Sergeant Peter from SAPS emphasised the need for society to take responsibility for enacting change. “We need to work together to combat GBVF,” she said.

Rethabile Molibeli, a young poet known in the Free State as Miss Faith, performed a moving poem on GBV. When asked by the communication team what could be done to reduce GBV in the Free State, she replied, “We need to love one another; the main cause of GBV is the absence of love. People kill or steal from others because they lack love for one another.” Rethabile said she always encourages people to love themselves so that they can extend that love to others. “You can’t give what you don’t have. If you haven’t learned to love yourself, you can’t love others,” she emphasised.

One of her poems, Where is it Safe to be a Woman?, resonated deeply with the community, evoking an emotional response from all who listened.

The event was also attended by popular SABC Lesedi FM station manager Mamontha Motaung, who remarked, “Women must work together against GBVF and be brave enough to talk about the abuse they experience daily.” Thuso Motaung, a well-known radio personality from Lesedi FM, also shared his perspective on the root causes of GBV. According to Motaung, many abusive individuals were shaped by the way they were raised, often by single mothers with no father figure to provide guidance.

The Executive Mayor of Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Veronica Ntakumbana, expressed her gratitude to everyone who attended and acknowledged the contributions of all the speakers. She urged parents to take a proactive role in their children’s lives.

“Please prepare lunch boxes for your kids when they go to school and avoid giving them money to buy food and snacks. As we all know, there have been recent cases of poisoning in schools, and we need to take measures to ensure our children’s safety and well-being,” Ntakumbana said in conclusion of the dialogue.