Effects of Gender-Based Violence Towards Young Females: The Case of Vhufuli Village in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province-South Africa

Abstract

Gender based violence towards young women is a pandemic experienced mostly by women of all classes and age in different settings, spheres of life and environment. It affects the victim both socially, emotionally, psychologically and physically. Gender based violence is caused by various factors such as substance abuse, lack of education as well as gender norms, socialization and aggressive behavior of men. This study explored the experiences of young women regarding gender-based violence and factors that contribute to this scourge. The research was qualitative in nature and used non-probability sampling as well as snowball and purposive sampling to gather the data. The population was young women between the ages of 12-25 from Vhufuli village. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The key finding of the study is that young women are experiencing sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, economic and psychological abuse at the hands of their partners and parents. The recommendations are that policy makers need to regulate laws that will also be enforced, as a way of fighting against gender-based violence. There is a need to educate our communities about the dangers posed by patriarchy, and to also understand how hegemonic masculinities can be toxic in our communities. Social workers could also help by coming up with early intervention strategies that may assist in curbing the pandemic of domestic violence.

The impact of gender-based violence on girls in the selected secondary schools in Limpopo, South Africa

“…Additionally, Jacobs (2012) indicated that despite what is stated in various South African educational documents, South African schools do not promote democracy and the preservation of human rights. Similarly, Thobejane (2019) pointed out that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. Thobejane (2019) also noted that even though gender-based violence violates human rights, societies, communities, and residents either personally experience it or observe it in their families and neighbourhoods and feel helpless to stop it.…”

“…Urban and Teise (2015) cautioned once more that a safe, orderly, and clean school environment is essential for successful teaching and learning. However, Thobejane (2019) argues that to combat gender-based violence, policymakers must control the laws that will be implemented. Thus the Power Control Theory will be the solution.…”

“…Thus the Power Control Theory will be the solution. Additionally, social workers could contribute by developing early intervention techniques that could be used to stop the epidemic of gender-based violence against girls in schools (Thobejane, 2019).…”

“…In addition, Jacobs (2012) contends that South African schools are not corresponding with the educational ideal of promoting democracy and the protection of human rights, which is spelled out in various South African policies and legislation. Similarly, Thobejane (2019) argued that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights, yet societies, communities, and local people either experience it firsthand or witness it within their families neighbourhoods, and feel there's nothing much they can do about it. Singh and Power (2019) revealed that everyone has the right to equal protection, benefit from the law, and equality before the law.…”