Honourable House Chairperson,
When reflecting on our journey to end gender-based violence, the ACDP finds little cause for celebration, particularly when we look at the realities our women and children face.
We have established comprehensive legal frameworks, such as the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), and enacted new laws like the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act to provide leadership and resources to end GBV, but the statistics remain devastating.
At last month’s UCT SWEEP women’s conference, it was revealed that one in five women students in our country is affected by the scourge of gender-based violence, as between April and June this year alone, a staggering 11,500 cases of sexual abuse were reported. Additionally, according to the latest crime statistics, a rape is reported very 12 minutes in SA. In the past year 1 116 children were killed and 1 501 were victims of attempted murder, while 25 196 children were seriously assaulted, and the conviction rate is minimal.
We are facing, in every sense, a national emergency. Yet, four years after the launch of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, academics and activists at the National Shelter Indaba agree that much remains to be done.
Dr. Nechama Brodie, a researcher, pointed out a bitter irony: South Africa has some of the strongest laws and arguably the most extensive data on gender-based violence. Yet, despite all the words on paper, women and children continue to be murdered. Dr. Brodie highlighted that we know what is needed to address femicide and violence, yet two decades later, these recommendations have yet to be fully implemented.
The ACDP calls for an improved public database, trained investigators for female murder cases. We need homicide case management guidelines, and measures to address alcohol abuse. These are not overly ambitious goals but small, measurable steps that could make a difference if implemented. Measurability and accountability are key to ending this horrendous disregard for women’s safety and dignity.
The ACDP urges government and law enforcement agencies, to enforce our laws with resolve and to ensure accountability in every sector. We call for urgent action, not rhetoric, to put an end to gender-based violence in South Africa.
I thank you.
