Causes and Drivers of Gender-Based Violence

Legacies of colonialism and apartheid are among the key factors contributing to the high rates of gender-based violence in the Western Cape and to the way survivors who report their abuse are treated.  The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, noted how South Africa is deeply influenced by its violent past characterized by divisions of race, class, and gender. Socio-economic inequality in South Africa—the highest in the world according to the World Bank—and harmful socio-cultural norms, such as misogyny, are also key contributors to gender-based violence. 93% of women surveyed reported socio-economic factors as key drivers of gender-based violence in their communities.

In addition, limited opportunities for young men and a growing underground economy, spurred by government policies to control alcohol and drugs, have enhanced the power of gangs and contributed to the normalization of violence in South African communities.