Systemic Failures and Cultural Norms Fuel Gender-Based Violence in Southern Africa

The discovery of Dineo M.’s body in Ekurhuleni, a municipality near Johannesburg, has reignited urgent debates about the persistence of gender-based violence (GBV) across Southern Africa. The 38-year-old was found stabbed, beaten, and partially naked, marking another tragic loss in a series of killings of young women in the area over the past two months.

While police have not yet confirmed whether these deaths are connected to a single serial killer, Police Minister Firoz Cachalia acknowledged similarities among some cases and issued alerts urging women to take precautions. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, emphasized during a protest in Johannesburg that violence often begins behind closed doors, escalating from verbal insults to physical assault and eventually murder.

For Dineo’s sister, Carol, the tragedy transcends statistics in a nation where gender-based violence was declared a national disaster in 2025. “We sit here today and we will never see her walk through the door,” Carol said, expressing the pain of explaining to Dineo’s two-year-old daughter why her mother is gone.

Laws Are Not Enough

Experts argue that legislative frameworks alone are insufficient to protect women. Naledi Masipa, campaigns manager at the NGO Gender Links, stated that the existence of policies does not automatically translate to safety in households or communities. She stressed that the entire support ecosystem—including reporting mechanisms, policing, health services, and legal assistance—must function effectively.

“The real test is whether a woman in an ordinary community feels safer,” Masipa noted.

Tegan Snyman from Amnesty International South Africa highlighted a critical legal gap: femicide is not recognized as a distinct crime and is often categorized merely as murder. Although the government has declared GBV and femicide a national crisis, Amnesty argues that responses require dedicated resources and a sense of urgency that is currently lacking.

A Regional Crisis

The issue extends beyond South Africa’s borders. In Botswana, Permanent Secretary Natasha Rampa revealed that at least 37% of women have experienced violence in their lifetimes. In response, Botswana and the United Nations launched a joint program in June focused on prevention and survivor-centered services. Minister Lesego Chombo told parliament that addressing GBV requires societal action beyond government intervention.

Similarly, Zambia continues to struggle with high rates of violence despite having laws and national programs in place. Anne Mbewe-Anamela, executive director of the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council, pointed out that deep-seated power dynamics and social expectations perpetuate the cycle. She warned that unless communities stop viewing violence as a private marital matter, survivors will remain trapped and silent.

For families like Dineo’s, the gap between policy and protection is devastatingly personal. Carol hopes her niece will grow up understanding that such violence is not normal and that women deserve to live without fear—a future that remains elusive for many in the region.