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In observance of Women's Month in South Africa, rights defenders insist that support must begin with attentive listening, acknowledging survivors' words, and providing women experiencing violence with safe places to receive help.

Women's Month traditionally serves as a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women to their families, workplaces, and communities. However, this period also presents an opportunity to reflect on the importance of providing women with access to understanding, support, and safe conditions when life becomes difficult.

For many women, the necessary help can start with a simple act of care—a friend who shows interest, a family member who listens without judgment, or someone who reminds them that they should not face their difficulties alone.

The situation becomes significantly more complicated for women who experience gender-based violence. Sabrina Walter, founder of Women For Change, noted in an interview with IOL News that many women suffering from violence remain silent due to fear, isolation, and uncertainty, which prevents them from seeking help.

Walter emphasized: 'When someone experiences gender-based violence, they often live in constant fear and do not feel safe enough to tell their story or ask for help.' She added that many survivors isolate themselves from friends and family, while others face financial control, emotional manipulation, or the fear that leaving abusive relationships could put them in even greater danger.

'One of the most dangerous moments for a woman in an abusive relationship is when she decides to leave,' stated Walter. According to her, access to a safe and supportive environment gives women the ability to speak openly, think clearly, and begin planning next steps without immediate fear.

She also noted that for many survivors, the first step toward healing is simply knowing that someone believes in them. 'We see this every day when survivors reach out to Women For Change because they feel there is nowhere else to turn. For many, it is the first time someone says, 'I believe you, and you are not alone.' These words can be the beginning of a survivor's journey toward safety and healing,' said Walter.

Walter refuted the common misconception that women choose not to leave abusive relationships. She explained that, in reality, leaving is often the most dangerous period in such relationships. Many women face serious obstacles, including financial dependence, concerns about children, lack of transportation, and uncertainty about where they will go after leaving.

'Leaving should never mean choosing between violence and homelessness,' Walter stressed. She pointed out that for too many women in South Africa, this is a reality due to a shortage of shelters and places they can go when needed.

Beyond practical issues, survivors face other barriers. Many have lost trust in institutions that are supposed to protect them after previous experiences with the police, courts, or other support services. Others fear judgment or continue to carry the emotional trauma caused by the violence. Therefore, in Walter's view, it is crucial that support services are always survivor-centered, meet women where they are without judgment, and recognize that every survivor's path is unique.

Despite shelters and organizations continuing to provide vital support, demand continues to exceed available resources. Walter noted that while many incredible shelters exist, the reality is that the need significantly outweighs the available means. She added that women need more than just emergency housing to rebuild their lives; long-term accommodation options are required, as healing and rebuilding life do not happen in three months.

Walter also called for closer coordination between the police, medical facilities, shelters, and social workers to facilitate survivors' access to support. This would prevent them from having to recount their story repeatedly while navigating different systems. Furthermore, she stated that organizations assisting survivors need sustainable funding, as they cannot be expected to respond to what is classified as a national crisis without the necessary resources to address this human rights crisis.

The need for accessible support is reflected in the Women For Change Survivors Support Line on WhatsApp, which has received over 30,000 messages since its launch in April. Walter concluded that this indicates two things: women are asking for help, and they are willing to reach out when support is available. She emphasized that ensuring access to help is everyone's responsibility. In closing, marking Women's Month in South Africa, Walter believes that celebrating women should also mean creating communities where they feel respected, supported, and safe, and sometimes this begins with a simple conversation or attentive listening.

A new service has been opened in the southern part of the city in Durban—the Rapid Response and Gender-Based Violence Center at the Wentworth police station. Ahmed Osman, founder and patron of Human Aid SA, noted during the opening ceremony on Thursday that this center is designed to provide immediate support, comfort, and care to victims.

Osman emphasized that placing such services directly within a police station will ensure victims have faster access to counseling, referrals, and a safe space in critical moments. He added that the opening of the GBV Center in Wentworth is part of broader efforts to strengthen gender-based violence response measures across KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring dignified and coordinated assistance for those affected.

He expressed hope that this institution will change people's lives, transforming victims into survivors, and pledged readiness for further cooperation for the benefit of humanity.

Crime Statistics

During a recent publication of quarterly crime statistics, Police Minister Firoz Kachalia reported that 47.2% of rape cases registered between January and March 2026 occurred in residential premises. Nearly half of all rape cases recorded in South Africa in the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year (4620 out of 9782) took place in the homes of either the victim or the perpetrator, indicating a persistent threat of gender-based violence behind closed doors.

Kachalia stated that the reality is that violence in South Africa is often perpetrated by individuals known to the victims, including partners, relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances. He noted that the home, which should be the safest place, becomes dangerous for too many people.

Despite a decrease in some major categories of crime in the country this quarter, Kachalia warned that violence against women and children remains a serious issue requiring continuous action beyond the criminal justice system.

Government Interventions

According to a report from the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, the scale of gender-based violence in South Africa has reached a crisis level. The Department plans the phased implementation of evidence-based approaches to preventing gender-based violence in schools, higher education institutions, and public spaces. This process will take over 22 months.

In August and September 2026, the department is in the design and planning phase of the program. The Department also indicated that the rate of femicide in the country is considered one of the highest globally, with some reports suggesting it is nearly five times the global average. The Department also highlighted areas with a high concentration of gender-based violence issues:

• In KwaZulu-Natal:

  Inanda, Ntuzuma, Umlazi, Empangeni, Eshowe, Mountain Rise, Plessislaer, and KwaDukuza.

• In the Eastern Cape:

  Lusikisiki, Mthatha, Ngqeleni.

• In the Western Cape:

  Delft, Emfuleni, Kraaifontein, Harare, and Nyanga.

• In Gauteng:

  Roodepoort, Diepsloot, Alexandra, and Orange Farm.

GBV Center Opening

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanga Ntuli stated that the center's opening coincided with the government's campaign against the disaster of gender-based violence and femicide under the slogan 'Silwa Nechilo'. Advisor Mohamed Tariq, representing the People's Freedom Party (PFP) in eThekwini, called the launch of the center an important step in protecting women and children. Tariq noted that the center embodies hope, support, and a place where victims can receive necessary help with dignity and compassion.

He stated: 'Let this center make a significant contribution to the lives of those who need it most. We cannot remain silent in the face of gender-based violence.'

Aidana David, representing the eThekwini District Police Council, highly praised this positive collaboration between business, the Community Policing Forum, and SAPS.

Osman explained that Human Aid SA is a humanitarian organization focused on empowerment, upliftment, disaster relief, community development, and supporting vulnerable groups throughout eThekwini. He reported that the project was implemented in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Tropic Plastic, and thanked all donors, supporters, and partners whose contributions made this project possible.

Residents of the "Lolazor" mahalla have faced the problem of losing public spaces, which has led to a series of conflicts with developers. The story concerning the halt of the business center construction in the courtyard of the "Lolazor" mahalla following public outcry and government intervention has become one of the most discussed issues in Tashkent. However, there are other courtyards nearby where similar confrontations are unfolding.

In the "Lolazor" mahalla of Mirabad district, attention was drawn to the construction of a five-story business center on the site of former children's and sports grounds and mahalla buildings. After a series of media publications and public resonance, the head of President Saied Mirziyoyev's Administration arrived at the site and instructed the Prosecutor General's Office to conduct an inspection of the legality of all courtyard development projects in Tashkent. As a result, the construction was suspended.

When a correspondent from "Gazeta" visited the courtyard surrounded by houses No. 27/5, 27/6, 27/7, and 27/8, active work by an excavator was observed to dismantle the remains of the old building and clear the territory. Although the metal fence that previously enclosed the area had been dismantled, residents gathered nearby expressed relief at the halt of work but were uncertain about the end of the conflict.

Resident Fatima Temirkhodzayeva emphasized that they would not calm down until the children's and sports grounds were restored, trees were planted, and they were sure that no new construction fence would appear soon. According to her, the public area, which housed the mahalla committee, playgrounds, and trees, could disappear, which was unthinkable for the residents.

Alla Avanesova recalled that this space was the center of life in the yard, a place for meetings, celebrations, and sports for young people. In May 2026, a four-meter fence was erected around the site. Residents initially believed it was a reconstruction, but when they tried to get information from the mahalla chairman and the developer, they did not receive clear answers.

Alla Avanesova said that she required building permits and cadastral documents, but they were denied. Subsequently, the mahalla building was demolished, the children's playground was removed, and trees, including oaks, pavonias, and fruit trees planted by the residents themselves, were cut down, and the site was prepared for development.

Only after the object's passport appeared did the residents learn that a five-story business center with an underground parking lot was planned. Fatima Temirkhodzayeva noted that this massive building does not match the architecture of the surrounding houses, built in 1956 in the Stalinist Empire style, and wonders how such a decision could have been made without resident participation.

Alla Avanesova added that the building belonged to the mahalla and questioned why the repair was not carried out by the mahalla itself or the management company, but the duties were shifted to a stranger, while no one protected the rights of the residents.

By mid-summer, residents almost lost hope because numerous appeals to the hokimiyat, prosecutor's office, and cadastral bodies only received formal responses, and applications were passed between departments. The last attempt was a collective appeal to the Presidential Administration asking to check the legality of the construction.

The residents were surprised by the wide response to their appeal, calling it a "real miracle," as they saw that even a small person fighting for their yard could be heard. After the visit of the delegation led by Saied Mirziyoyev, residents began receiving messages of support from different districts of the capital, giving them hope for the resolution of the case.

This wariness among the residents is due to the fact that over the past years, the quarter has already lost several public areas: a hotel with parking appeared on the site of the children's playground at house No. 27/5, and a business center was built next to house No. 27/8. Therefore, the playground in the "Lolazor" mahalla remained the last gathering place for residents of several houses.

In another courtyard, at house No. 27/3, there used to be a children's playground where several generations of children grew up and trees planted by residents grew. In April 2025, the site was fenced off, but the developer provided no explanation. Soon, the entire playground—swings, slides, climbing frames, and gazebo—was removed overnight, after which construction was intermittently stopped and resumed.

After complaints from residents, a new playground was installed, but Elena Politayeva believes it has not replaced the original one because it is designed for toddlers, and the elements are located unsafely. Furthermore, the site intended for a football field also ended up behind a construction fence. According to the object's passport, the customer was the MChZh "ARX STROY PROJECT"; a five-story building was planned on an area of 1979 sq. m, with 30% of the territory (593 sq. m) allocated for mahalla requests, and 70% (1385 sq. m) for the investor's residential complex.

Elena Politayeva notes that previously the site had grass, trees, and shade, but now it has concrete, asphalt, and iron, which leads to severe heating of the yard in the summer.

In the third case, residents of house No. 27/10 have been fighting for their space since 2018. Previously, there were utility closets, a children's playground, and a green area. Now it is an empty, sun-scorched area with a single bench. Vladimir Davydov recalls that life was bustling here, but now "there is no room for anyone".

According to the residents, in February 2018, utility closets covering an area of about 440 sq. m, which had been used for decades, were transferred to the furniture enterprise "Viva Victoria" as compensation for real estate seized during the construction of Tashkent City, marking the beginning of development plans.