The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from November 25 to December 10. File picture
By Tiyani Mohlaba, COO of Afrika Tikkun
AS SOUTH Africa marks 30 years of collective action under the theme “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children”, Afrika Tikkun calls for urgent and inclusive measures to combat gender-based violence (GBV). The youth development non-profit organisation (NPO) places a spotlight on the disproportionate effects on women and children living with disabilities.
While the 16 Days of Activism has brought awareness and some positive changes over the years, it is evident that systemic failures, performative campaigns and inadequate action have allowed GBV to persist at alarming rates. This anniversary year presents a critical opportunity to recommit to bold, inclusive and transformative interventions.
Women and children with disabilities are GBV’s overlooked victims despite the prevalence of violence against them.
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) launched the first report on GBV and it has revealed an alarming statistic: over 31% of women with disabilities in South Africa have endured sexual or physical violence in their lifetime. Compared to women with no disabilities, a higher proportion of ever-partnered women with a disability had experienced physical violence. The prevalence of sexual violence by a partner was twice as high for ever-partnered women living with a disability than for those who did not report a disability.
The HSRC said the high rates of violence against women, particularly those with disabilities, highlighted an urgent need for government, professionals, and service providers to identify affected women and include them in prevention strategies.
Addressing male perpetrators and the factors driving their behaviour is critical, as the study underscores that GBV is a direct consequence of these actions.
This is the first instance of national data shedding light on the pervasive and deeply entrenched impact of GBV on women with disabilities.
“Disability inclusion must become a core focus in the fight against GBV,” said Marc Lubner, the executive chairperson of Afrika Tikkun. “Creating a disability-inclusive society is not just about access to physical spaces; it’s about ensuring the safety, dignity, and protection of the most vulnerable. This means creating inclusive policies that address the unique vulnerabilities of women and children with disabilities, empowering victims with accessible support services and fostering community leadership to dismantle rape culture.”
Despite 30 years of democracy, the gap between South Africa’s progressive legal frameworks and the realities women and children face daily remains glaring. Leaders have yet to adopt a unified voice or implement meaningful changes to address the roots of GBV.
“The government must prioritise systemic social re-engineering to dismantle the pervasive attitudes enabling GBV. There is a need for actionable plans with measurable outcomes to challenge rape culture and societal normalisation of violence,” said Lubner
As Afrika Tikkun celebrates its 30th year of service and a legacy of creating holistic development and sustainable impact, the organisation remains steadfast in advocating for a safer, more inclusive society where the rights and dignity of every woman and child are protected. The organisation is tackling South Africa’s socio-economic disparities head-on and fostering an equitable society.
“The communities we serve are characterised by high levels of GBV, in part due to the legacy of apartheid. GBV impacts the ability of young girls and women in our programmes to make the most of learning, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. We believe it is never too early to start educating our young people on gender equality and GBV-related issues,” said Tiyani Mohlaba, the COO of Afrika Tikkun.
The organisation implements the Anti-Violence Buddies (for children aged 4–6) where early childhood development learners are taught about abuse in an age-appropriate manner. In addition, in the Young Urban Women (YUW) programme, young girls are given a platform to discuss issues affecting them, including GBV, women’s health and economic empowerment. Parallel to this, The Young Urban Men (YUM) programme was established to provide a space for positive role modelling in conjunction with activities and campaigns related to the issues young men face.
“We must invest in targeted educational campaigns to challenge harmful attitudes and promote equality from an early age. Anything less is a disservice to the progress we aim to achieve,” concludes Mohlaba.