In October 2022, the Free State hosted its summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), with 859 participants attending from government and civil society organisations. The report outlines the region’s efforts in addressing GBVF and presents key statistics on the prevalence of GBVF and socio-economic conditions that contribute to its rise, such as high unemployment rates and female-headed households. Notably, the report identifies significant regional differences in GBVF incidence and highlights the role of alcohol and substance abuse in exacerbating violence. It also reflects on the province’s implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP), noting successes like the appointment of District GBVF Coordinators and intersectoral collaborations that led to impactful initiatives. However, gaps remain, including insufficient buy-in from local municipalities and a lack of services for the LGBTQIA+ community. The report concludes with recommendations to strengthen accountability, accelerate awareness programmes, and amplify collaboration across all sectors to combat GBVF.
Publication Year:
2022
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