Gender-based violence has risen tremendously and has been named the 2nd pandemic in South Africa by Cyril Ramaphosa, our president. Not only does gender-based violence affect the victims but also people around them and all women in South Africa. 

It is a violation of women’s rights and according to many statistics, most perpetrators that get reported never get convicted. The determination of the police department is extremely low and when no convictions are made victims are left with fear whilst perpetrators are not feared to carry on. This puts even more women at risk and makes all women living in South Africa afraid to be doing daily tasks and anyone victimized afraid to report it. 

I was a victim of gender-based violence on women’s day 2018 at the age of 14 years old. When I gave my statement and gave points of the evidence I had on my phone, none of the evidence was taken by the police. After this, I received no information on my case for over a year. I decided to make a call and got told that my case was withdrawn already in 2019. They said I am welcome to re-open it but they doubt that any convictions will be made. This has been extremely upsetting as anyone can imagine. 

Perhaps no convictions will be made for my case but by stricter laws being made and police changing their ways of handling gender-based violence reports, other women will have a better opportunity at getting justice for their cases. 

If this does not happen, women will continue living in fear and gender-based violence will continue to rise.