As we celebrate 10 years of our democracy, we cannot escape the fact that many women and children find it difficult to make sense of such celebrations because they continually face the grim reality of gender-based violence.
Such violence makes a mockery of our democratic and “civilised” society, and remains an ugly blot on the fabric of our new social order.
President Thabo Mbeki’s efforts at increasing gender representation in the highest echelons of government structures goes a long way in boost- ing women’s struggle against long- term marginalisation and patriarchal domination.
While this augurs well for the future, the question is: How far will this measure help the country rid itself of women and child abuse?
There is an argument that the sheer strength of numbers of women in the Cabinet will have a “trickle-down effect”. But, the increased number of women in leadership will not automatically lead to an end to the abuse of women and children.
There is need for more concerted action and increased advocacy at the policy level.
Gender issues affect both men and women and, to resolve them, both will need to be actively involved in seeking solutions. Society must be mobilised.
Religious bodies and the media must support the work done by government departments and organs of civil society, and school children and students must be taught that our society will not tolerate gender-based violence.
But, most important of all, men must not be allowed to continue brutalising women and children while hiding behind culture as justification for such pathetic acts. The common excuse that “my culture actually allows me to treat women the way I want, even if this means beating them” should be condemned by society.
For those of us who are close to traditional leaders, the message must be driven home loud and clear: our culture can no longer be used as an excuse to condone or perpetuate gender-based violence, in the same way that the colour of a person’s skin cannot be used to condone and justify racial discrimination.
Both men and women must stand up against the scourge of gender-based violence and maybe one day we will truly enjoy the fruits of democracy: justice, peace and freedom — especially from gender-based violence — that we all yearn for. For now, we are afraid not only to talk about these issues openly but also to stand up and be counted.
If one cannot have peace in one’s backyard, where can it be found?
Dr Kealeboga Maphunye is a senior research specialist in the democracy and governance programme at the Human Sciences Research Council