SA FIGHTING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

By: Prudence Kgokong

If we can teach our society especially women, and young girls about gender based violence (GBV) have awareness campaigns of the issue then we can solve or try to decrease the silent killer that is wrecking our young girls and women’s lives.

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE: is a harmful act directed at an individual based on their gender.
It is a serious violation of human rights and a life threatening health and protection issue.
It affects both men and women but mostly women and girls. People of the LGBTQ ( lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) community is the highest risk but get the least attention, but laws are passed in many countries across the world to protect the LGBTQ community, like the legalization of their marriages.

Besides physical violence, they are faced with the consequence of stigma and discrimination in their communities and families.

CAUSE OF GBV: Cultural
Economic
Political
Legal

STATISTICS: Shows that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Globally 7% of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner.

Globally as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by the intimate partners.

TYPES OF GBV: It can be
Psychological
Stalking
Physical
Forced marriages
Sexual, including rape
Female genital removal Forced Abortion
Forced sterilization
Sexual harassment

ORGANISATION LINES FOR VICTIMS:
0800 428 428 Emergency line
1207867#
Skype address HELPMEGBV. for members of the deaf community.
Sms HELP to 31531. For people with disability.
WARNING SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE PARTNER:
How do you know that your partner is abusive?

1. Jealousy
2. Controlling
3. Quick Involvement
4. Unrealistic Expectations
5. Isolation
   In conclusion if women and girls would know all these information, GBV would be less or a thing of the past in our societies.