activity 1.

(introduction)

1.1.
1.1.1. Gender based Violence - This is the harmful actions or threats directed at individuals based
on their gender. It includes physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse and predominantly
affects women and [Link] occurs as a result of unequal power relations,cultural norms,lack of
awareness and substance abuse.

1.1.2. Human rights violation - This is when a person’s basic rights as outlined in the Constitution
and Bill of Rights are denied and disregarded .Examples include denial of the rights to freedom of
expression , dignity,education and [Link] can be violated by the
government,organisations,groups or individuals and in various ways.

1.1.3. Discrimination - Unfair or unequal treatment of individuals based on characteristics such as

gender, race, religion, disability or sexual [Link] involves denying one equal
opportunities,respect and rights due to these characteristics,resulting in [Link] may
happen at work,in the community,at school or even at home.

activity 1.2(literature review)

1.2. •Domestic violence

•Emotional abuse
•Sexual abuse

1.3•South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

•Commission of Gender Equality (CGE).

1.4 •Substance abuse -substances like alcohol and drugs lead one to lose their control when
they are [Link] leads to that person becoming violent against an individual of the opposite
gender

•Cultural Norms -some cultural beliefs and traditions reinforce male dominance and control over
women, viewing them as inferior and males as [Link] norms normalize violence as a way
to assert authority and respect in households and relationships.

•Lack of Awareness and Knowledge-many people are unaware of what is regarded as gender
based violence,that it is a violation of human rights or let alone what human rights [Link]
results in those people perpetrating GBV unknowingly.

activity 2.(literature review)

activity 2.(literature review)

2.1. Domestic violence act 116 of 1998.

2.2 -It allows victims to apply for a protection order which legally prevents the abuser from
committing further acts of violence or approaching the victim.

-It requires police officers to assist victims by informing them of their rights and helping them
find a safe place or medical assistance when needed.

2.3. •Report abuse cases -citizens should report any known or suspected GBV cases to the
police or social workers, even if they are not the direct victims.

•Offer support-they should provide emotional support, listen without judgment and refer victims
to professional counseling or shelters.

•Advocate for change-citizens can participate in campaigns, protests or social media advocacy
to push for better laws,stronger enforcement and to promote gender equality.

activity 3(literature review.

3.1.
•Fear of retaliation -victims may be afraid
that the abuser will harm them or their loved ones if they report the abuse.
•Shame or embarrassment- many victims feel ashamed about the abuse and fear they be
judged by others
•Lack of trust in authorities- they justice system may be corrupt or they may be weak law
[Link] leads to vidtims believing that reporting won’t lead to justice thus they don’t
report.
•Financial dependency- victims who rely financially on the abuser may worry about how they
will survive if they leave or report them.

3.2.
family -GBV critically damages family structures,dynamics and [Link] results in a
hostile,traumatic and emotional environment with no trust .That affects the emotional well-being
of all family members.
Suvivors,children and other family members may suffer long-term psychological effects, such as
fear, anxiety and PTSD(Post traumatic stress disorder).Children also grow up to become violent
as they get the idea that the violence they witnessing is right.

community -GBV has intense effects on the community .It reduces the overall sense of safety
and trust among community [Link] fosters fear among community [Link] also leads
to social dissension as community members feel like they can’t trust each [Link] and
their families face stigma and [Link] leads to a breakdown in communal support
[Link] further leads to other community members feeling like they cannot speak out
about issues they are facing like GBV.

3.3
•Strengthen law enforcement-they can ensure police and courts respond swiftly and fairly to
GBV cases to ensure justice.
•Support services-they can fund and expand access to shelters, counseling and legal aid for
survivors to ensure their safety.
•Education programs-they can introduce school and community programs that teach gender
equality and respect of human rights.
•Train personell-they can train healtchare workers,judiciary workers and the police to ensure
they can handle GBV cases with sensitivity and effectiveness to make sure the survivors are
protected.

activity 4:data gathering.

4.2 Summary of Questionnaire Responses:

Understanding of GBV- Most learners defined GBV as any form of violence or abuse directed at
a person because of their gender. They recognized it as a serious human rights violation.
Examples Witnessed- Learners reported witnessing men physically assaulting their wives,
emotional abuse against women,domestic violence against children and sexual abuse.
GBV and Women/Children- Responses indicated a belief that women and children are more
vulnerable due to their social positions and because of traditional and cultural power structures
that favor men.
Impact on Victims -Trauma, fear, low self-esteem, long-term mental health challenges like PTSD
and permanent physical scarring were common responses. Some also mentioned dropping out of
school or work as a result.
Social Media’s Role-Learners noted both positive and negative [Link] it can raise
awareness and offer support, it can also bully the victims and stand with the perpetrators.
Community Solutions- Suggestions included more awareness campaigns, stricter
laws,community and family support,school-based education and the creation of a safe spaces
for victims.
activity 5:findings

5.1. Gender-Based Violence has a serious effect on the lives of victims. Many experience
emotional trauma which may lead to anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). It often results in physical injuries that need medical attention. Victims may suffer from
low self-esteem, feel isolated or withdraw from school, work and social activities. Their ability to
trust others is often damaged and some may stay in abusive situations because they depend on
the abuser [Link] also causes some victims to drop out of school or resign from [Link]
top of all this it causes some victims and others who witness it (especially children)to think it is
okay and results in them doing it to others,making it an ongoing cycle.

[Link] media has a strong influence on how society views Gender-Based [Link] can help by
informing the public,raising awareness and encouraging people to speak out against [Link] can
also cause harm when it shows violence as normal, spreads harmful gender stereotypes or
blames the victims and stands with the [Link] media can be used to share survivor
stories and promote support, but it can also be a platform for online harassment. The way media
covers GBV affects how people react to it and respond .When used positively it can help
challenge societal norms and mitigate GBV.

activity 6:reflections
Working on this project has made me more aware of how serious and common Gender-Based
Violence is in our communities. I used to think it only happened in certain situations and only to
women but now I see that it can affect anyone, regardless of background,status snd gender.I
have learned that there are numerous factors that are responsible for this including substance
abuse.I have also learned that many people stay silent because they feel afraid or ashamed and
that made me feel more responsible to speak up and support others. This task has changed my
attitude ,I now believe that everyone must play a role in fighting GBV. It has most importantly
made me more open minded and willing to challenge harmful beliefs or behavior when I see it.
Although it was a learning experience,i was limited by the lack of information about GBV in the
community,interviewing only 4 learners ,lack of research resources and vague responses to the
questionnaire which made it hard to interpret the full meaning.

activity 7:conclusion

In this project i have discovered Gender-Based Violence as a violation of human rights ,it’s forms
which include sexual abuse,domestic violence and emotional abuse ,and how the media
influence it,it’s causes which include substance abuse,unequal power relations and cultural
norms, its effects which include trauma,anxiety and isolation and the roles of individuals,
communities and the government in addressing the [Link] is not just a personal problem but
a social one that affects families and entire communities.
It mainly affects women and girls due to power imbalances in the society,cultural practices and
harmful [Link] remain silent due to shame or fear of retaliation and being
judged,allowing the cycle to [Link], education and support are key to stopping the
cycle of [Link] is not unstoppable.

activity 8:bibliography

[Link] K.B . 2024. Be more sensitive to plight of gender based violence [Link] Graphic
08 december ,6.
[Link] T. 2025. Personal Interview. 20 May, Polokwane.
[Link] K.P. 2025. Personal Interview. 12 May, Polokwane.
[Link] R.M. 2025. Personal Interview. 09 May, Polokwane.
[Link] T.K . 2025. Personal Interview. 12 May, Polokwane.
[Link] B.M. 2025 .Personal interview .09 May ,Polokwane.
[Link] (2024).Violence and crime in families(on-line). Available: [Link] .
Date Accessed: 17 June 2024.
[Link] (2023).Human Rights and GBV Report (On-line). Available: [Link]
Date Accessed: 8 May 2025.
[Link](2023).Government committed to ending GBV (On-line). Available: https://
[Link]/south-africa/government-committed-ending-gbv
Date Accessed: 5 May 2025