The Elephant in the Room: Confronting Violence against Women in South Africa

The escalating severity and harm of violence against women have become an undeniable issue, comparable to an elephant in the room. Despite significant legal and institutional frameworks aimed at addressing this challenge, the rate of violence against women in South Africa continues to expose the limitations of the existing law and justice system. This paper aims to assess the underlying reasons for such violence and propose improved programming and strategies to effectively reduce it. To provide a comprehensive understanding and analysis of violence against women, the African Feminism Theory is referenced as a fundamental framework. By utilising a systematic review of the literature, it is evident that the overall well-being of women and their families is profoundly impacted by gender-based violence, necessitating critical interventions. This study highlights the urgent need to address the high incidence of violence against women and proposes strategies to propel efforts towards combating this pervasive issue.