To hell and back
November 24, 2009
There are individual stories behind the statistics. Oppression, domestic violence, rape - the experiences of women all bear similarities.
"Many times have I been raped in my marriage when I said no," Dorita said. "Many times I've been treated like a whore."
Dorita's case is no exception. Many of the women are abused for years. Financial dependence, the fear of being cast out from their families and society and the fear of losing their children keep the women from pressing charges.
"No sex, no money," Dorita said. "If you don't want to sleep with him, you don't get any household money."
Women lose out on all counts
Women who are victims of domestic violence often don't know who to turn to. Even when the violence has reached its zenith, the women rarely go to the police. They are afraid they will not be believed. Often enough women get accused of provoking the violence against them.
Most rapes and instances of domestic abuse are not reported. Only 2.8 percent of all cases are publicly recorded. Even if a woman finds the courage to take her case to court, she is only at the beginning of another ordeal.
Rape victims are often treated as if they were the accused. In 400 rape cases, only one results in a conviction. Most of the rapists get off scot-free.
Violence against women is not taken seriously
There is a massive gap in South Africa between the law as it stands and its practice. One reason for this is the country's patriarchal structure.
Girls are brought up to obey and to believe they are subordinate to men. After her marriage, the woman is seen as her husband's property. Due to their traditional upbringing, women often allow the power structures to persist and thus accept the violence and abuse against them - following the patterns of their parents.
The consequences for the victims are manifold. Alongside the external scars, there are psychological wounds. Most women suffer post traumatic stress after they have been raped and many become infected with HIV.
Aid organisations have long been demanding that men face more consequences for their actions and that they involve themselves more in the discussions. Change cannot happen without the men engaging in the reality of violence against women.
Author: Nadja Sami/Peter Koppen
Editor: Sabina Casagrande