The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has noted with great concern the increasing incidence of intimate partner killings and the rape of women and children.
The brutal killing and burning of Karabo Mokoena (#RIPKarabo); the senseless rape and murder of Courtney Pieters; the killing of a 33-year-old woman in Langa, Cape; the killing of five women in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape; and the gang rape of a pregnant woman in Soweto, Johannesburg, have brought the spotlight back on gender-based violence. The CGE strongly condemns all acts of gender-based violence, not limited to intimate partner killings.
Through our media monitoring processes, the commission has noted that the killing of women by their partners and rape of women and children is increasing at an alarming rate. Available information shows that a woman is killed by her intimate partner in every hour – and that a woman or a child is raped by someone either known to them or a stranger every 15 minutes.
The CGE calls upon parents, guardians, men formations and like-minded organisations to begin a process of engaging their children, particularly the boy child, about issues of respect and acceptance particularly when relationships have ended.
Buying a woman gifts and material things does not mean you own a woman. Nobody deserves to die just because during the relationship money was spent on them. Phrases like “if I can't have you no one will” should not even occupy any person's vocabulary. We call upon the police to ensure that protection orders are served in accordance with the law. Perpetrators of gender-based violence must understand the gravity that will follow should they break protection orders.
The commission calls for the re-introduction of the specialised units within the SAPS to deal with the scourge of intimate partner killings and rape of women and children. We also call upon the criminal justice system to act decisively with perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
Society needs reassuring that our streets, malls, parks and more will be safe for women and children without having to look over their shoulders.
The CGE implores people to report all forms of gender-based violence to the police. We also call upon parents and guardians to ensure their children are safe at all times. Parents and guardians must also know the whereabouts of their children.
We urge members of the public who have knowledge of, or information on, acts of violence, rape and abuse to call our toll-free mumber, 0800 007 709, to report such cases.
The Commission for Gender Equality is established in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.