As part of the celebration of Women's Month in South Africa, activists insist that support must begin with the ability to listen and believe survivors, as well as by providing safe places for women who are subjected to violence so they can seek help.
Women's Month traditionally serves as a time to recognize the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women to their families, workplaces, and communities. However, this period is also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of providing women access to understanding, support, and safe shelters during difficult times in life.
For many women, the necessary support can be something simple: a friend who cares, a family member who listens without judgment, or someone who reminds them that they do not have to cope with difficulties alone.
The situation becomes significantly more complicated for women experiencing gender-based violence. Sabrina Walter, founder of the organization Women For Change, told IOL News that many victims remain silent due to fear, isolation, and uncertainty that prevent them from seeking help.
Walter noted: '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 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 opportunity to speak openly, think clearly, and begin planning next steps without immediate fear.
She emphasized 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 stated. However, she noted that for too many women in South Africa, this is a reality due to a lack of safe houses or places they can go when needed.
Beyond practical problems, there are other barriers. Many survivors have lost trust in institutions meant to protect them after previous experiences interacting with the police, courts, or other support services. Others fear judgment or continue to suffer from the emotional trauma caused by violence. Therefore, in Walter's opinion, it is crucial that support services are always survivor-centered, meet women where they are without judgment, and acknowledge that every survivor's path is unique.
Despite shelters and organizations continuing to provide vital assistance, demand continues to exceed available resources. 'There are many incredible shelters and safe houses doing lifesaving work, but the reality is that the demand far exceeds the available resources,' Walter observed. She added that women need more than just emergency housing to rebuild their lives. 'We need many more shelters across the country. We also need long-term living options, as healing and rebuilding a life does not happen in three months.'
Walter also called for strengthening coordination between the police, medical facilities, shelters, and social workers to facilitate survivors' access to support. 'We need better coordination between the police, medical services, shelters, and social workers so that survivors do not have to recount their stories repeatedly when trying to navigate different systems,' she said.
She also stressed the need for sustainable funding for organizations helping survivors. 'We cannot expect organizations to respond to what has been classified as a national catastrophe without the necessary funding and resources to address this human rights crisis,' stated Walter.
The need for accessible support is reflected in the Women For Change Survivors Support Line on WhatsApp, which has received over 30,000 messages from survivors since its launch in April. 'This tells us two things: women are asking for help, and they are willing to reach out when support is available,' concluded Walter. She believes that ensuring access to help is the shared responsibility of all citizens.
As South Africa observes Women's Month, Walter believes that celebrating women should also mean creating communities where they feel respected, supported, and safe. Sometimes it starts with a simple conversation, attentive listening, or reminding someone that they do not have to carry the burden of life alone.
During Women's Month in South Africa, Telela Ngchentane-Vika and Rev Istoriya Seitisho analyze significant achievements in gender equality since the dismantling of apartheid, while simultaneously confronting the harsh reality of ongoing difficulties, including gender-based violence and systemic inequality.
Women's Month provides a powerful opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the abolition of apartheid: the constitution guarantees gender equality, women's representation in business and politics has increased, and the feminist movement is developing.
However, considering this process an unqualified success would be a dangerous oversimplification, as it risks obscuring the persistent problems faced by women in a country still grappling with deep inequalities and femicide.
The struggle for full emancipation must continue to avoid a colossal failure and betrayal of the women of the 1956 March, who bravely confronted Verwoerd and his apparatus. While celebrating Women's Month is important, politicians' rhetoric often masks the harsh reality.
Although women hold positions in government, the corporate sector, and many spheres of life in South Africa, their opportunities are constrained by patriarchal structures in wider society. The 'glass ceiling,' though cracked, remains intact, evidenced by limited representation at the highest levels of power and the persistence of the wage gap across various sectors.
The fact that a woman has not become president after thirty years attests to the pervasive nature of patriarchy, which contradicts the narrative of empowerment and often ignores the intersectional nature of oppression and misogyny.
Women from all walks of life, especially Black women, bear the burden of unique and compounded forms of marginalization, rendering general statements about progress meaningless. A more pressing issue is the scourge of gender-based violence—an omnipresent shadow haunting South African society and standing in stark contrast to any celebration of achievements.
Shocking high rates of rape, domestic violence, and femicide demonstrate the fragility of legal protection and the deeply entrenched corruption permeating social structures. Although legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act exists, its implementation is extremely unsatisfactory due to resource shortages in the police, inefficient judicial processes, and a culture of impunity.
This persistent violence is not merely isolated incidents; it is a systemic failure requiring a radical overhaul of political will, social norms, and attitudes.
Economic empowerment, often presented as a key indicator of progress, presents a complex picture. While some women have achieved economic success, most remain in precarious employment, bearing a double burden due to low-paid work and unpaid domestic labor. The legacy of apartheid continues to manifest in sharp economic disparities based on race and class, disproportionately affecting women's access to resources, education, and opportunities.
Nevertheless, to truly mark Women's Month, it is necessary to move beyond celebratory rhetoric and confront uncomfortable truths. It requires acknowledging the unfinished business of gender equality, critically examining the systemic failures that perpetuate inequality, and demanding transformative change. Only then can we move away from a narrative of superficial progress and work towards a truly just future for all South African women.
The path from struggle to success requires not only gradual changes but also a fundamental and radical transformation of power structures and social norms. The fight continues—Aluta continua.
As part of Women's Month celebrations, Fidelity Services Group urges women to integrate personal safety into daily life through increased awareness, preparation, and confidence.
The company notes that while communities, businesses, and law enforcement play a role in creating a safer environment, practical safety habits remain one of the most effective ways to reduce personal risk.
Charlene Hating, Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group, emphasized that Women's Month is not just a celebration of women's achievements, but also a reminder that every woman deserves to feel safe throughout the year.
She stated that simple, proactive habits can significantly reduce vulnerability and help women respond confidently in unsafe situations.
Fidelity advises women to remain vigilant, avoiding distractions such as using mobile phones while walking, and to share travel plans with trusted friends or family members. It is also recommended to park in well-lit areas and survey the surroundings before getting into a car.
Furthermore, the company recommends trusting instincts if a situation feels unsafe, keeping emergency contacts handy, using ATMs in busy, well-lit locations, exercising in pairs when possible, and regularly checking home security systems, including alarms and exterior lighting.
Fidelity also highlighted the benefit of panic mobile solutions, which provide quick access to emergency assistance while traveling, exercising, walking to the car, or in urgent medical needs.
Hating added that personal safety is most effective when awareness is combined with preparation and community support. She noted that it is not about changing one's lifestyle, but about making informed decisions that reduce unnecessary risk.
The company also called on the public to promptly report suspicious activity, as early notification and quick response remain important tools in crime prevention and life protection.
