Constable Mokoena Recognized for Work Against Gender-Based Violence in South Africa

During the Women's Day celebration at the Union building, Sophie de Bruyn, a staunch fighter against the struggle, sharply criticized the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. She recalled the power of a unified, silent protest that took place on August 9, 1956, and expressed hope that future generations could live without the triple burden of racial, class, and gender oppression.

More than 20,000 women participated in that march, which represented the diversity of the country, submitting petitions with over 100,000 signatures to protest the pass laws associated with apartheid. De Bruyn noted that the freedom they fought for turned into a bitter paradox, as women today find themselves imprisoned in their own homes despite past victories.

She emphasized that gender-based violence continues to blight society, and she mourns daily for the girls, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers who suffer violence, rights violations, and silence. De Bruyn reminded that the fight was waged to dismantle systems of oppression against women based on race, class, and gender.

Addressing officials, politicians, and high-ranking figures, she demanded that their victims not be in vain. She called for the eradication of corruption, the protection of women, the provision for children, the presence of a moral compass, and courage in leadership, comparing this to the bravery of 1956.

To citizens, especially women, she urged them to take to the streets again, but this time not against pass laws, but against crime, insecurity, poverty, corruption, unemployment, homelessness, violence, and many other problems limiting the future, safety, freedom, and well-being.

De Bruyn added that the fire ignited in 1956 cannot be extinguished. Young women must defend their rights, use their voice, fight for their future, and resist violence and poverty just as they fought against apartheid.

The Gender Equality Commission (CGE) and the KZN Network on Violence Against Women supported De Bruyn's sentiments regarding GBV. Commission Chairperson Mfundu Nomvungu stated that society lacks the necessary anger to hold SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the criminal justice cluster accountable. He praised the justice system for recent convictions but noted that significant progress is required.

Nomvungu also noted that the statement calls on the government to take measures to combat gender-based violence, and he welcomed the appointment of the president of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence, but insisted on the full funding of this council to achieve visible results.

Executive Director of the KZN Network on Violence Against Women, Cookie Edwards, suggested that GBV is perceived as normal in many communities. Edwards explained that domestic violence is a silent war, and the domestic abuse suffered by many women in silence must be eliminated.

She urged women to overcome silence and speak up, but pointed out the lack of resources to help these women leave toxic relationships. Edwards stressed the need to train more GBV survivors, provide them with employment, and, most importantly, housing. She also highlighted shortcomings in the provision of gender-based violence services, noting that the First Pillar of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence prioritizes accountability, requiring responsibility not only from the government and service providers but also from individuals.

The website uses a security service to protect against cyberattacks. The action you performed triggered this protective system.

There are several actions that can lead to such a block, including entering a specific word or phrase, executing an SQL command, or submitting incorrect data.

Users are advised to contact the website owner to report the block. When contacting them, they should specify what actions were being performed when this page appeared, and also provide the Cloudflare Ray ID, which is located at the bottom of the page.

The website uses a security service to protect against cyberattacks. The action you performed triggered this protective system.

There are several actions that can lead to such a block, including entering a specific word or phrase, executing an SQL command, or submitting incorrect data.

Users are advised to contact the website owner to report the block. When contacting them, they should specify what actions were being performed when this page appeared, and also provide the Cloudflare Ray ID, which is located at the bottom of the page.