Femicide: Stop the Killing of Women by Men in South Africa
Abstract
In recent years, the killing of women by men in South Africa has reached an unacceptable crescendo. Most of the victims have entrusted their lives in the hands of loved ones turned killers. Several Victims of femicide are very familiar with their killers and, in some instances are in a social relationship. Femicide is a manifestation of one of the devastating effects of patriarchy in contemporary society. More than three women are killed in South Africa daily. Some of the causes of femicide are male dominance, alcohol and firearms, social and cultural beliefs, psychologically related illness, breakdown in relationships, economic challenges, frustration, aggression, and violence. This article has three aims, first, to highlight and fight against femicide. Second, to call for harsher punishment to be put in place within our criminal justice system, and third, to explore preventative measures designed to reduce femicide. Some of the findings are that collectively as a society we are not doing enough to put an end to this callous murder committed by men against defenceless women. Refuge homes for victims of gender-based violence need to be adequately funded, social workers need to be very much more proactive in rescuing women from the hands of their potential male killers. Finally, the government must create businesses and employment to empower women with the financial power needed to become independent from abusive men.
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