Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), including violence against women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, and structural violence, is widespread in South Africa. In the last quarter of 2023 alone, more than 12,200 rapes were reported to the police, and the femicide rate in South Africa is more than five times the global average.

The End GBVF Movement

A multi-sectoral structure called the End GBVF Collective was formed in 2020 to coordinate the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence in South Africa. The national strategy seeks to urgently respond to victims and survivors of GBVF, broaden access to justice for survivors, change social norms and behaviour, strengthen existing architecture, promote accountability, and create more economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to abuse because of poverty.

PsySSA has been part of the structure since 2022, with government, civil society, labour, private sector, research, academic, and development partners working together as part of this integrated national response to GBVF. From last year, the activities of the End GBVF Collective is referred to under the umbrella of the End GBV Movement, to reflect the growing number of organisations and individuals involved.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Opportunities for TVD members to join the End GBVF Movement and the fight against GBVF will be identified in this and upcoming issues of the TVD newsletter. Here are the first two opportunities to get you started:

• Complete the free GBVF 101 Course

GBVF 101 – Safeguarding is a free e-learning course that introduces the context and concepts of GBVF in South Africa and creates awareness and sensitivity about the complexity of GBVF and helping survivors. The aim of the course is to facilitate shared language to communicate clearly and efficiently about GBVF, and to ensure no harm is caused when working collectively in the GBVF sector. The course comprises nine stand-alone lessons with content, exercises, and additional readings. And if you have any feedback about or suggestions for improvement to the course, contact the training team on info@theworldofimpact.org.

• Sign up for the GBVF Health Check

The GBVF Maturity Health Check is a tool that helps workplaces in South Africa evaluate (quarterly) their behaviours, policies, and practices related to GBVF. If you work for or with an organisation that wants to do better, this developmental tool is what you need. Organisations use the tool to track their progress, identify improvements needed, and align with good practices, to ensure the workplace is a safe place. Participation in the current quarter ends on 24 May 2024.

To Find Out More

• Contact Leonie (leonie@leonievorster.co.za), who represents PsySSA in the End GBVF Collective
• Visit the End GBVF Movement website and the FAQ section
• Follow the End GBVF Movement on social media
• Read about the End GBVF Movement activities and more opportunities to join the fight against GBVF in the following TVD newsletter!