Gender violence, teenage pregnancy and gender equity policy in South Africa: privileging the voices of women and girls through participatory visual methods

Abstract

This chapter reflects on two ‘epidemics’ – gender violence and teenage pregnancy in South Africa – and asks why, despite the impressive rhetoric of change in the country’s educational and gender policies, children continue to experience the negative effects of gender inequality in the country. In so doing, we seek to contribute to deepening understanding of ways of moving from policy rhetoric to action. We begin by mapping the issues concerning gender violence and teenage pregnancy in South Africa. This allows us to offer a critical analysis of the legislative and policy framework in the context of various socio-economic barriers to building gender equitable schools. Drawing on our research with girls and women, we suggest ways in which participatory visual methodologies can contribute, not only to understanding the links between gender violence, teenage pregnancy and other manifestations of gender inequality, but also to developing relevant policy interventions.