Gender-based violence against female immigrants in South Africa: the control theory perspective

Recently, there is an increase in the number of cases of gender-based violence where females experience torture and abuse from their male partners. The gender-based violence against women is not only a concern in South Africa, but a global issue. This research sought to highlight how power, gender and culture contribute to gender-based violence. Gender shapes the meaning of violence acts differently for women and men, nonetheless, meaning varies widely depending on the situational and cultural context. Violence against women and girls may include physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. This is often known as gender-based violence as it evolves in part from women's subordinate status in society. There are some cultures that have beliefs, norms and social institutions that legitimise and therefore, perpetuate violence against women, which continues to cause serious harm on women and children. This is an exploratory study dopting the qualitative research method. The study was conducted in Musina town, Limpopo province. The aim of this study was to investigate the depth of gender-based violence against female immigrants living in South Africa. Findings from this study reveal that the majority of these immigrant women are victims of gender-based violence either in their homes, workplace, or society. It was determined that these women do not feel safe in this country. As a result of these findings, the study recommends that in order to effectively combat and prevent violence against female migrants and young girls, policies and programmes must be strengthened and the provision of essential support to survivors must be improved.