Tackling Gender-Based Violence in South Africa

Abstract

This chapter describes some of the kinds of violence experienced by women and girls in South Africa, drawing attention to the ways this violence is shaped by context. It focuses on selected realities that hinder progress in addressing violence against women and girls, and that challenge the development of collective solidarities capable of pushing hard enough to effect change in this context. The chapter discusses the tense relationship between local and global. It suggests that, despite political hindrances and tensions between local and international movements, public and networked practices of confronting or 'calling out' violence and harassment are swelling, supported and emboldened (though not indebted to and still distinct from) the international #MeToo movement. Above all, the chapter emphasizes that, despite challenges, much has been happening in South Africa to expose, confront and address violence against women global networks.