In SA there are many organisations, including Powa, Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, and the Tears Foundation that work tirelessly to provide support and advocacy to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. For example, Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust reports that between March 2021 and March 2022, “9,650 survivors and their supporters received direct services from Rape Crisis".
The support and advocacy work help survivors to access post-violence medical and mental health support, file police reports, access courts, and receive support throughout legal proceedings. Furthermore, such organisations educate to address toxic gender ideologies and debunk myths around rape and sexual violence.
However, we should not solely rely on organisations to do this work. We all need to be aware of our own actions and words and the ways in which they might contribute to a culture in which violence against women and girls is acceptable; call out the behaviour and actions of others; assist organisations providing support and advocacy; and hold the government accountable to ensure it develops and implements plans and procedures for addressing violence against women and girls in South Africa.
Perhaps, however, it is also time that we take to the streets – as we are seeing in Iran – to demand better conditions for women, girls, and other marginalised communities. We need to unite to create a country in which women and girls have a future that is free from the ever-present threat of violence. We need to demand an effective justice system that holds men accountable for their actions.
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