Policy on Violence
Women's Health Project
PO Box 1035
Johannesburg 2000
Tel: +27 11 489 9917
Fax: +27 11 489 9922

This document was finalised at the Women's Health Conference in December 1994
by women from throughout South Africa

Violence against women is a violation of basic human rights.

Violence against women in South Africa remains an enormous problem. This violence ranges from sexist jokes, sexual harassment and pornography to incest, rape, battery and murder.

Violence affects every aspect of women's lives and takes a high toll on the physical and mental of children. It can result in serious injuries, trauma and even death. Society often condones violence against women or makes it seem that women ask for the abuse that they get. Women who are denied the basic right to security of person cannot participate equally in society.

In order to get rid of violence against women in society, it is necessary to see the whole picture of how violence against women in society takes place. Making criminals of those who are responsible for violence against women is only one way of dealing with the problem. We need a comprehensive approach which deals with the following issues:

We should aim to try to prevent violence against women before it even starts. We can do this by making society aware that violence against women is unacceptable.

A broad based public education programme should be embarked on which challenges the view that women are responsible for the violence commited against them.

We should introduce programmes into educational institution that counter stereo-types of women as well as put in place sexual harassment policies.

Proper training should be given to both professionals and non professionals who come into contact with women survivors.

Further research is needed so that we can get a better idea of how many women are victims of violence.

Counter the aspects of religion and culture which can be used to oppress women.

The reconstruction and development of society should be embarked upon to counter the effects of poverty and the legacy of apartheid.

We need sufficient and good quality support services for assulted women and their children.

• specialised counselling for all abused women needs to be provided
• a comprehensive network of counselling services and a toll free crisis line needs to be developed
• different counselling models should be adopted, depending on need, language and culture
• funding for professionals should be made available so that services are not totally dependent on volunteers
• services need to be affordable.

Proper shelter for battered and abused women should be provided. This will help them to leave abusive relationship.

Women should be guaranteed safety and security by urgently addressing the problem of male violence against women. This will require changes in legislation and administration that will underline the seriousness of the problem as well as encourage women to report cases of abuse.

The legal system should be fundamentally reformed in order to create a more user-friendly legal system for women who are victims of violence.

Likewise, the capacity of the criminal justice system should be improved to deal with male violence against women effectively and in a more sensitive manner.

Coordination between local, regional and national levels on intiatives to stop initiatives to stop violence against women is very important. This allows for the efficient and effective use of limited resources. To achieve this, national and regional networks of people working against violence should be formed. Local communities should be encouraged to coordinate and organise activities related to women and violence. Encourage the establishment of committees in relavant goverment departmens.

• Health in our hands: proceedings and policies of the 1994 Women's Health conference (Women's Health Project, 1995). This contains a fuller account of the conference proceeding on violence.
• The South African Women's Health Book (Edited by Margaretha Goosen and Barbara Klugman, Oxford Univ Press, Cape Town 1996). There is a chapter on violence, pages 51-91. Available at most bookshops for about R90.00
• Equality in Access to Health Care, Article 12 of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, First South African Report , 1997 at: http://www.anc.org.za/govdocs/reports/cedaw1.hmtl#Art12