Violence against women is a pandemic problem that should not be seen as a women's' issue but a broader community and development issue. Men need to become actively involved alongside women in addressing the problem. In South Africa, men's involvement is scarce and mainly peripheral. Their participation must be encouraged, says Boitshepo Lesetedi, a counsellor at Adapt, an organisation dealing with domestic abuse, prevention and training.

For years women have been battling to combat abuse yet the problem seems to be escalating. Despite South Africa's liberal constitution which aims at equalising gender relations and entrenching women's rights as equal citizens, women are still seen as men's property.

Violence against women has become one of the biggest violations of human rights and should be addressed as such, through collective efforts by communities, organisations and both men and women. Since men are ultimately the perpetrators of violence against women they must be part of the solution, says Lesetedi.

Perceptions and attitudes that result in abusive behaviour can change. "It is a myth that men who are abusers can't change," says Lesetedi. But change for the better does not come overnight and without assistance. Counselling and organisational support are key to shifting perceptions of SA have been working with men in trying to change behavioural patterns.

Soul City, the successful drama series on SABC 1, currently in its fourth season, has chosen violence against women as one of its central themes. The series highlights domestic violence and sends out strong messages on breaking the silence on abuse and community responsibility when abuse happens in their backyards.

According to John Molefe of Soul City: "Women alone cannot shoulder the responsibility for addressing what has become a broad societal issue. Just as HIV and Aids can no longer be the sole prerogative of people who are positive, violence against women can no longer be seen as women's problem. There are many men who abhor women abuse. But we need to become more proactive and vocal - our voices need to be heard."

Soul City does not focus on helplessness and apathy. Rather the series looks at solutions and mechanisms that can be used to address the problem of violence against women. One of these is to raise our next generation differently. According to Molefe: "Too many people see violence against women as part of normal life. We as parents should be raising our young boys to respect women and to understand that women abuse is not acceptable."

According to Dr Shereen Usdin, Project Manager of the Soul City series, "Violence against women warrants serious action at all levels of society. It is a major crime. We would like to see South Africans expressing the same kind of outrage at this problem as they have done with hijacking and theft."

Soul City has formed a partnership with the National Network on Violence against Women to provide support to audiences in need of help. The Network is a coalition of government and non-governmental organisations working to eradicate violence against women. Audiences will be connected to Network organisations at community level, through a tollfree "stop women abuse" helpline established together with the Department of Justice and managed by Lifeline. The number is 0800-150-150.

Soul City is currently on air on Wednesdays at 8:30pm on SABC 1. It is sponsored by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the European Union, Kagiso Trust, Old Mutual and BP.