2025 Term 2 – Task 2: Project on Gender-Based Violence
Activity 1: Introduction / Background Information
1.1 Concepts:
1.1.1 Gender based violence: Refers to harmful acts directed to individuals
Based onto their gender. It includes physical, sexual and psychological abuse
most often directed towards women and girls but it can affects anyone .
1.1.2 . Human right violation occurs when actions by state or non- state
actors abuse, ignore or deny basic human rights include the right to life,
freedom, safety and equality.
1.1.3. Discrimination: The unfair or unjust treatment of individuals based on
their characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual
orientation, it often leads to exclusion and inequality.
1.2 Forms of GBV in the Community:
• Physical abuse
• Sexual violence
• Emotional abuse
1.3 State Institutions Dealing with Human Rights Violations:
• South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
• Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)
1.4 Causes of Gender-Based Violence:
• Cultural and traditional beliefs: some communities still support outdated
gender roles that view that men has more power to control than women.
• Substance abuse: alcohol and drug reduces self control which leads to a
violent behaviour
• Lack of education and awareness: many people don’t know about gender
equality or gender based violent which makes them to continue with the
abusive behaviour.
Activity 2
2.1 Law That Protects Against GBV:
Domestic Violence, 1998
2.2 How the Law Protects Citizens:
•Provides protection orders to stop further abuse
•Requires police to assist and support victims
2.3 Strategies Responsible Citizens Can Use to Help Victims
•Report Abuse to Authorities: Citizens should report any suspected or
witnessed acts of gender-based violence to the police or relevant authorities.
Taking action can help protect victims and ensure that perpetrators are held
accountable.
•Provide Emotional and Social Support: Listening to victims without any
judgment, believing their experiences, and encouraging them to seek help
can make a big difference. Support groups, counselling referrals, and simply
being present can empower victims
•Awareness and Educate Others: Organize or participate in community
programs, workshops, or school talks to educate others about gender
equality, human rights, and the signs of abuse. Knowledge helps prevent
violence and builds a supportive community
Activity 3
3.1 Reasons Why Victims May Not Report GBV:
• Fear of the abuser
• Shame or embarrassment
• Lack of trust in the justice system
• Financial dependence on the abuser
3.2 Impact of GBV:
Impact of Gender-Based Violence in the Family
• Family
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) can cause serious harm within the family. It
leads to emotional and psychological trauma for victims and other family
members, especially children who witness the violence. Trust and
communication in the family break down, often resulting in separation or
divorce
Impact of Gender-Based Violence in the community:
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) negatively affects the entire community by
creating an environment of fear and insecurity. It weakens social cohesion
and trust among community members, making people feel unsafe in public
spaces. GBV can also discourage victims from participating in community
life, education, or employments
3.3. Recommend FOUR ways in which the government can combat Gender-
Based Violence in society:
[Link] enforcement of GBV-related laws – Ensure arrests and convictions for
perpetrators.
[Link] education and awareness campaigns – Teach citizens about gender
equality and reporting abuse.
[Link] services for victims – Provide shelters, counselling, and legal aid
[Link] with NGOs and community leaders – Work with local groups to
reach and protect vulnerable populations
ACTIVITY 4:DATA GATHERING
4.2.
Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on
their gender. It mostly affects women and children due to power imbalances,
patriarchal norms, and discrimination in society. It includes physical, sexual,
psychological, and economic abuse.
An examples of gender based violent are Domestic Violence. Sexual Abuse
like Rape, child molestation, or sexual exploitation. Child Marriage – Forcing
children, especially girls, into early marriage. Human Trafficking – Exploiting
women and children for labor or
sex.
The picture above shows a young girl seeking for Justice for a little girl who
was raped by the principal the Photo clearly indicate that rape is Still
available with it’s demons, most of the people are saying this has affected
them as they feel the pain that the justice is not yet served. We can see that
most of the children are no longer safe at School and as we all know that
School is supposed to be a safe place for many people.
Why GBV Is Associated With Women and Children.
Patriarchal cultures give men more power. Social norms make violence
against women seem acceptable.
Legal systems often fail to protect victims. Children’s vulnerability makes
them easy targets for abuse.
People show that the victims experience Injuries, STIs, unwanted pregnancy.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, low self-esteem. Some children experience
Stigma, isolation, school dropout. Some people lose their jobs and becomes
financial dependence. Ongoing fear due to weak legal protection
Social media plays both positive and negative influence of Gender based
violence .The negative influence of Gender based violence on social media
are Spreads harassment, hate speech, and victim-blaming. Used for revenge
porn and cyberbullying.
Positive Influence: Raises awareness (e.g. #MeToo)Empowers survivors to
speak out. Connects victims to help. Mobilizes social justice campaigns.
How Communities in South Africa Can Fight GBV
The community can raise awareness in schools and homes to educate people
about gender based violence and its effect on people. Create safe spaces
and shelters. The community can challenge the traditions that believe in
violence. Teach boys and men to be respectful. Improve local response and
protection. Share stories, promote equality online.
ACTIVITY 5: FINDINGS
ANALYSE AND COLLATE DATA FROM THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES.
5.1. Survivors of physical violence may experience immediate injuries such
as bruises, cuts, broken bones, and burns. These injuries can sometimes lead
to permanent disabilities. Survivors of sexual violence face a high risk of
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, unwanted pregnancies,
and complications from unsafe abortions. For some survivors, there may also
be long-term reproductive health consequences. The emotional scars left by
GBV can lead to chronic depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and a general
sense of hopelessness. Many survivors experience emotional numbness or
feelings of detachment from reality. Victims of GBV often internalize the
abuse, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-worth. This can
prevent them from seeking help and can further isolate them from others.
Some survivors of GBV may experience suicidal ideation or attempt suicide
as a result of the intense emotional and psychological pain they endure. The
trauma can leave survivors feeling trapped with no way [Link] often
isolates survivors from family, friends, and support networks. Abusers may
control or limit a victim’s social interactions, leading to extreme social
isolation. This isolation can make it more difficult for survivors to seek help or
escape the abusive situation. Survivors of GBV often struggle to trust others
or form healthy relationships in the future. The trauma of abuse can lead to
difficulties in forming close, trusting connections with others, impacting their
ability to build supportive social networks.
5.2. The media often reinforces harmful gender stereotypes—men as
dominant and aggressive, women as weak or submissive. These portrayals
can support the idea that control or violence in relationships is acceptable or
expected. News coverage or entertainment media sometimes blame victims
for the violence they experience (e.g., criticizing how they dress or behave),
which discourages survivors from coming forward and can justify the
perpetrator’s. Social media platforms can become tools for cyberbullying,
revenge porn, doxing, and harassment—especially against women, LGBTQ+
people, and other vulnerable groups.
Media campaigns, documentaries, and news stories can shine a light on GBV
issues, helping people understand the seriousness of the problem and
encouraging community action.
Educational programs and social media campaigns (like #MeToo or
#SayNoToGBV) have empowered survivors to speak out and educated the
public about consent, rights, and support services.
Some media productions now focus on positive portrayals of gender equality,
respectful relationships, and empowered women—challenging outdated
gender norms.
ACTIVITY 6: REFLECTION
This project challenged many of the assumptions I had. I learned that GBV is
not only physical abuse but can also be emotional, sexual, economic, and
psychological. I was especially moved by how survivors are often blamed our
silenced by society instead of supported. This realization made me more
sensitive to the language I use and the way I listen to others.
My attitude has also changed. I used to feel powerless in the face of such a
big issue. But now I see that every voice counts, and even small actions—like
speaking up against harmful jokes or supporting awareness campaigns—can
make a difference. I’ve developed a greater sense of empathy and
responsibility, especially toward women, children, and marginalized groups
who are most vulnerable.
ACTIVITY 7: CONCLUSION
This research project on gender-based violence (GBV) has highlighted the
seriousness and complexity of the issue within our communities. Through
gathering data from questionnaires and analysing responses, we found that
GBV is commonly understood as violence directed at individuals based on
their gender, with women and children being the most affected. Common
forms of GBV identified include domestic violence, sexual harassment,
emotional abuse, and child marriage. Many respondents pointed to cultural
norms, power imbalances, and economic dependence as reasons why
women and children are most vulnerable. We also explored the impact of
GBV on survivors, discovering that it causes lasting physical, emotional,
psychological, and financial harm.
ACTIVITY 8: BIBLIOGRAPHY
References
1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Violence against women
prevalence estimates, 2018. Geneva: WHO. Retrieved from
[Link]
2. UNICEF. (2020). Gender-based violence in emergencies. Retrieved from
[Link]
3. Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust. (n.d.). Understanding GBV. Retrieved from
[Link]
4. Personal communication and responses collected from community
questionnaire, 2025.