‘South Africa Has Become the Rape Capital of the World’-Tefo

The Southernlive-Boitumelo Tefo, a Project and Administrative Assistant for the One in Nine Campaign, an organization that supports survivors of sexual violence, yesterday stated that South Africa has earned the dubious distinction of being the world’s ‘rape capital’, with more than 10,000 reported rape cases.

Tefo made these remarks during a webinar hosted by the African Union, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Fund, and Hivos, as part of the International Day of the Girl Child commemoration, as she expressed serious concern over the rising number of rape cases.

“South Africa has become the rape capital of the world, with over 10,500 cases reported in 2022. It is alarming to note that while the number of rape cases continues to rise, the convictions are on a declining trend,” said Tefo.

She underscored the significance of the One in Nine Campaign, which is a coalition of organizations and individuals united by feminist ideals and committed to establishing a society where women can exercise authority over their own lives.

This initiative has played a crucial role in assisting victims by applying pressure on different sectors of the criminal justice system through direct actions and focused advocacy, with the goal of ensuring that authorities comply with prevailing laws and regulations.

“The state has let down women and girls in South Africa, evident from the decrease in convictions and the reluctance of the police to address these cases, leaving many girls and women vulnerable “,added Tefo.

The webinar, themed ‘Exploring Pathways to Ending Violence against Women and Girls in East and Southern Africa,’ saw the participation of various organizations reaffirming their commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls in the East and Southern region.

Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Founder and Chief Executive of the Rozaria Memorial Trust and former World YWCA general, emphasized the need to empower women economically to combat violence against them.

She stated, “Ending violence against women cannot be achieved without implementing economic justice for women, as many women remain trapped in abusive and violent relationships due to the lack of options. Economic empowerment can significantly contribute to ending violence against women.”

However, Madam Victoria Maloka, Head of Division at the African Union Commission, noted that while the world celebrates progress, it is crucial to remember that many children, girls, and women still suffer from rape, education challenges, female genital mutilation, discrimination, and other issues across the continent. She emphasized the importance of collective efforts to create a better world.https://thesouthernlive.com/

Maloka also stressed the significance of encouraging women and girls to take up space in traditionally male-dominated fields.

“We must build confidence among girls to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), empowering them to become strong leaders. Our role as organizations is to support them in this endeavour”, said Maloka.