Gender-based violence : an exploration of its forms, concepts and causes in South Africa

Abstract

Just as in many other countries, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is also pervasive in South Africa, where cultural norms and gender-based customs and traditions condone and reinforce abusive practices. Even though women are the most reported victims of gender-based violence, research shows that men too can be victims. According to Article 13 of the Istanbul Convention, a preventive intervention requires heightened awareness as a first step in changing attitudes and behaviour that perpetuate the different forms of GBV. However, to create an effective awareness, the various forms, concepts, and causes of GBV must be identified and used as a guide in developing awareness. Hence, this paper seeks to investigate the forms, overarching causes and contributing factors influencing the prevalence of gender-based violence in South Africa. The study conducted a systematic literature review to identify, select and critically appraise existing empirical studies on GBV in South Africa. The systematic review used PRISMA guidelines for literature selection and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) data extraction form to extract relevant data, and this data was further analysed using thematic analysis. The findings from the systematic review were described using a summary table, which reveals the different forms of GBV, the overarching causes and the contributing factors to GBV in South Africa. These findings will help develop awareness campaigns that challenge persistent myths, prejudices, stereotypes and disrupt different pathways that lead to GBV