SA has failed to protect its women and children

During his address to the nation last year, Ramaphosa referred to the surge of violence against women in the country as a “pandemic”, says the writer.

During his address to the nation last year, Ramaphosa referred to the surge of violence against women in the country as a “pandemic”, says the writer.

Published May 6, 2021

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By Editorial

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected today (Thursday) to provide Parliament with an update on SA’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, economic recovery plan and efforts to end gender-based violence and femicide.

However, when coming to the latter, the country and the world has failed to protect its women and children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), South Africa has one of the highest rates of violence inflicted on women and girls in the world.

During his address to the nation last year, Ramaphosa referred to the surge of violence against women in the country as a “pandemic”. And as with Covid-19, there does not appear to be an end in sight.

In KwaZulu-Natal this week, a 28-year-old man appeared in court for allegedly raping his 89-year-old grandmother. The young man’s mother, who was the woman’s caregiver, told the Daily News she found her motherin-law in the toilet lying in a pool of blood, crying.

In June last year, a 51-year-old grandmother and her 7-year-old granddaughter were raped in their Chesterville home, allegedly by a man known to the family. They were threatened with a knife and forced inside the house, where the relative raped them.

In the Free State last month, a 37-year-old appeared in court for allegedly raping his 79-year-old grandmother. He was living with her and had apparently left her alone for a month and when he returned he allegedly raped her and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about it.

This list of such gruesome acts of violence is endless.

The Elder’s Voice organisation has called for the military training of young men to be taught discipline.

There have also been calls for programmes for boys in their early childhood to teach them about different attitudes and to see women as their equals.

In response to the rape and murder of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana in a Cape Town post office in 2019, Ramaphosa pledged millions to strengthen the criminal justice system and to provide better care for victims.

In his update today in Parliament, there must be a clear plan and figures presented instead of promises.

The Star

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