INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts that is directed to another human
being. It is rooted with the abuse of power and harmful norms. It is a serious violation
of human right and a life-threatening health and protection issues (Heise, Ellsberg &
Grottmoeller 2002). There are many different definitions of GBV which includes
violence against women and children, violence against LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer) community, intimate partner violence, domestic
violence, sexual violence and indirect (structural) violence. GBV is abuse of power.
and not only are their victim’s rights violated but are also taken away from them.
Gender-based violence may assume several forms which includes domestic
physical abuse, honour killings, forced marriages, rape, sexual assault, and physical
injuries which are morbidity and contraction of diseases like HIV and AIDS (Heise et
al 2002).
Sexual violence means that someone coerces one into manipulation to
engage in sexual activity without their consent. Reasons of refusal may be that the
person is uncomfortable with the situation, fear of unwanted circumstances such as
contacted illnesses and pregnancy. Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence. This
form of abuse or violence includes, rape sexual harassment and molesting.
Emotional abuse is a psychological abuse or mental abuse of which the abusers use
verbal language to threaten their victims. This intimidates and undermines victim’s
self-worth in which they later question themselves if whether what their abuser said
is true or not. It damages them to a point that they (victims) end up believing the
words uttered by their abusers. In other severe cases the abuser may become
obsessive and jealous and even try to humiliate one in public spaces.
THE IMPACT OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN
DEVELOPMENT AND THE ROLE THAT NGOS PLAY IN COMBATTING THIS
PANDEMIC
GBV affects victims and survivors in so many ways that some do not even have a
purpose of staying alive. Victims often feel judged and unwanted by society and
others do not have the freedom because they feel caged and are scared for their
lives. South Africa has a wayward system that when a person reports an incident that
they have been abused or hurt violently, they make that person sign a piece of paper
called a protection order. The police even accompany that person to their
perpetrators for him or her to sign it. That is where development to combat GBV
starts. How is a piece of paper going to stop a person from hurting their victims,
because that only makes situations worse. In most cases, victims die in the hands of
their abusers.
Life of gender-based violence survivors or victims is not the same anymore (Safer
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spaces 2021). It takes a lot of counselling because they blame themselves for what
transpired. For some, do not even know that they were being abused unless they
talk about their problems to a close friend or family member. We as people frequently
put blame on victims. Asking questions similar to; “Why did they not leave”. For they
do not have stable homes to go back to, that point leads to one of the few reasons
as to why they do not leave. Some victims think they can change the abuser’s mind.
Victims would often find themselves in situations whereas they have no one to turn
to because their abusers have isolated them. It is a psychological trap, because
abusers want them to feel entitled and vulnerable to them. Alternatively, GBV leads
to depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem and post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are ways to sought development in GBV. For instance, in communities,
society, by well-known people (celebrities), and our families. Government should
implement GBV support groups or regular meetings in communities. Tougher laws
should be implemented and police force should not take bribes. In other ways to
combat GBV if nurses, doctors and the police force participate in these meetings or
groups implemented by the government in communities, in that way victims feel
somehow safe that at least they are people in their corners who actually care. Since
most people watch television, short plays about GBV can be played on shows or a
certain programme introduced by the government. At the end of the day, it all starts
with us. We should also play our part in raising awareness through social media.
Sport players and well-known celebrities have people that look up to them and have
the power to speak out too.
Various pieces of relevant local legislations have been enacted which is the
Domestic Violence Act, Criminal Law, Amendment Act, Maintenance Act, and
Protection from Harassment act. The national campaigns such as 16 Day of Activism
for Non-Violence against Women and Children and the 365 Day National Action Plan
to end Gender Based violence were initiated for awareness about GBV and finds
ways of preventing it. Non-Governmental organisations and community-based
organisations have played significant roles in supporting some of the state initiatives
to prevent and eradicate GBV and also initiate their own programmes to deal with
the issues around it. The centre for the study of violence and reconciliation
implemented a programme in communities to raise awareness about GBV, in order
to prevent it.
These NGOs were selected because of their public prominence in advocating for
prevention and education of GBV, as well as to endorse their initiatives in preventing
violence and assisting victims of GBV.
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign started in 1991. The dates between 25 th
November (International Day the Elimination of Violence against Women) and 10
December (International Human Rights Day). These days were chosen to
symbolically link violence and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of
human rights. Individuals and groups all around the world have used the 16 Days of
Activism campaign as an organising strategy to call for elimination of all forms of
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violence against women by raising awareness, implementing unions which can
develop and share ideas on how to end violence against women and children, and
creating tools to pressure the government to implement promises made to eliminate
violence against women.
The ZAZI campaign helps women with situations like these. It creates a movement
that encourages women to defy the silence that allows the pain in their lives, to thrive
against all odds and to define their own values and their own path of life. Much of the
efforts of the campaign is to encourage women to undergo a journey of self-discovery
and establishment. The campaign has got different versions on how they
help women.
The campaign teaches women to practice safe sex and vocally aims to
teach sexual health practices as well as general life skills to ensure their wellbeing.
ZAZI which means, “know yourself”, aims to equip young women, and the men who
support their cause, with the knowledge and skills to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
ZAZI campaign does not vocally stand with women alone in this type of situation,
therefore it stands with any gender as it does not discriminate. Although the company’s
target was women, it supports men who have been through the
circumstances. People need to understand that some men went through the worst in
their childhood. As they need help to overcome the bad circumstances they went
through. The campaign hopes to talk about HIV, sugar daddies, gender-based
violence, preventing and unplanned pregnancies.
ZAZI campaign works hand-in-hand with the 16 Days of Activism against women and
children. Both campaigns deal with people who have been abused (or are being
abused), because both do not discriminate, they both teach self-righteousness and
self-discovery, and men are more than welcome to join in. People need to know that
men are not as strong as they claim to be. They also go through their own problems
in their daily basis of life, men also need to cry (but society does not expect them to).
Both campaigns create a movement that encourages people to defy the silence that
allows the pain in their lives to thrive and to define against all odds, their values and
their own path in life.
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