Violence against women in South Africa: intersecting vulnerabilities

Abstract

South Africa faces a persistent epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV), despite efforts to address it. In 2024, a groundbreaking survey by the HSRC highlighted the enduring various forms of violence, including physical and sexual violence, psychological, economic and emotional abuse experienced by women over the age of 18 in the country. The study highlighted higher victimisation among black African women and women with disabilities. The HSRC recently hosted a webinar that focused on gender-based violence and femicide perpetrated against vulnerable groups of women in South Africa. It included women with disabilities, women from the LGBTQIA+ community, black African and older women.