Recommended ways in which women and children can be protected in South Africa.

Violence against women takes many forms – physical, sexual, economic, psychological – but all of these represent a violation of human dignity and human rights and have lasting consequences both for women themselves and for their communities. Research shows that domestic violence against women remains widespread and under-reported, and that victims of violence are not effectively supported by public services. Insufficient specialised services for women and children who are victims of violence and the absence of professional services to victims is only a few of the reasons for non-reporting.

Two recommended ways in which women and children can be protected

#1 Encourage men in society to instill the values of human dignity, equality and respect for women and children:

• Be a role model who treats girls and women with respect and care.
• Promote women’s independence and decision-making in public life and relationships.
• Promote gender equality in public and private life, particularly through the following actions:
• Strengthen positive, equal and respectful relationships between and among women and men, girls and boys.

#2 Enforce complience to the acts that deal with protecting women and children

There are laws or acts that if they are enforced, women and children will be more protected in South Africa:

• The Children’s Act, 2005 and Children’s Amendment Act, 2007 were enacted to, among other things, protect a child from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation.
• The Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill will bring about the realisation of women empowerment in all spheres of our society by enforcing compliance in both government and the private sector.
• The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998) allows a victim of domestic abuse or violence to seek a Protection Order from the Magistrate’s Court against the person who is committing the abuse.