‘Rhetoric no longer enough’ - Commission for Gender Equality calls for action on GBV
The Commission for Gender Equality says rhetoric is clearly no longer enough as the country continues to battle gender-based violence and femicide.
South Africa's femicide crisis has once again hit the headlines following the gruesome murder of several women around the country.
This includes the murder of 28-year-old Tshegofatso Pule, who was stabbed and found hanging from a tree in the west of Johannesburg.
The commission says decisive action is needed from the country’s justice system.
"Those that have been raped and their bodies brutalised, those still seeking answers as to what happened to their loved ones and those that are afraid to come forward because they do not trust their perpetrators will ever get punished," says spokesperson Javu Baloyi.
He says even when the suspects are arrested by police, their prosecution remains slow.
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"We are also cognisant that our justice system tends to take long in prosecuting cases of gender-based violence and femicide. The commission hopes this can be corrected as we have seen in some cases there was a swift movement in prosecuting," says Baloyi.
"It is our resolve that the judicial must play a significant role in ensure that all the rhetoric statements are realised by actions by prosecuting criminals against women and girls for lengthy jail sentences."
He says more resources needs to be channelled into the fight against gender-based violence.
"Police, prosecutors, magistrates and judges should be sensitised about the scourge of gender-based violence and cases be reviewed to ensure that victim-centred approach to bring justice is upheld.”
