16 Days of Activism: A Ground-Level Perspective on Gender-Based Violence in South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa?– As the world unites for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), HIVSA stands in solidarity with survivors and communities striving to break the cycles of abuse. While global campaigns often focus on raising awareness and encouraging reporting, our insights from programmes like Choma online magazine reveal a stark reality on the ground: GBV is not just a headline; it is an entrenched issue affecting women across all demographics, perpetuated by systemic inequalities, social norms, and economic disempowerment.

From intimate partner violence in urban households to young women in rural areas navigating the pressures of transactional relationships, the lived experiences of GBV survivors highlight its pervasive nature. Our Choma programme—an interactive online platform for adolescent girls and young women—continues to receive testimonies that underscore the deep connection between GBV and broader societal challenges, including poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and mental health struggles.

“These stories show that GBV is not limited by age, income level, or geography. It affects young girls as they navigate unsafe schools, women in relationships they can’t leave due to financial dependence and concerns for their own well- being safety and that of their children” says?Yashmita Naidoo, CEO at HIVSA.

GBV is often intergenerational, with children exposed to violence at home internalising harmful behaviours as normal. This perpetuates a cycle that, without intervention, remains unbroken. At HIVSA, we believe that breaking this cycle requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Empowerment Through Education:?Our Choma Care campaigns and DREAMS programme equip young women with knowledge and tools to assert their rights and access support systems.
• Safe Spaces:?Through our community interventions, such as PHVP (Preventing HIV in Vulnerable Populations), we engage families in addressing harmful social norms and fostering nurturing environments.
• Access to Mental Health Support:?Recognising the link between GBV and mental health, we provide resources to help survivors rebuild their lives, including counselling and referrals through Choma's online platform.
• Economic Resilience:?Women who are economically empowered are less likely to remain in abusive situations. HIVSA’s initiatives focus on upskilling women and connecting them to opportunities for financial independence.

Ending GBV requires more than advocacy during these 16 days—it demands sustained action from all sectors of society. As long as systemic barriers like unemployment, gender inequality, and lack of access to education persist, women will remain vulnerable.

“South Africa cannot afford to let this crisis persist. Every survivor is more than a statistic—they are mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. It is our collective responsibility to create a country where every woman can feel safe, supported, and free. The GBV response in South Africa needs to extend beyond a reactive approach but rather one than has a comprehensive prevention approach that has to include Boys and Men as key role players in finding solutions and changing prevailing gender norms” adds Naidoo.

This year, HIVSA calls on policymakers, civil society, and the private sector to move beyond awareness and invest in solutions that address the root causes of GBV. We also urge individuals to reflect on their own behaviours, challenge harmful norms, and support survivors in their healing journeys.

Together, we can not only stop GBV but build a society where violence against women and girls is no longer tolerated.

For more information about HIVSA and how to support our work, visit?www.hivsa.com.