Dec 14, 2015, 9:22 AM

Violence against women still high in South Africa

Violence against women still high in South Africa

PRETORIA, Dec. 14 (MNA) – The United Nations Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Simonovic, warned that the level of violence against women in South Africa is high and the acceptance of violence in communities is worrying, despite the efforts carried out to put an end to that problem.

Simonovic said that this social phenomenon inherited from the Apartheid regime in South Africa still resonates in today's society.

The UN expert noted that there are still patriarchal attitudes deeply rooted regarding women's role in society that makes violence against women and children a phenomenon accepted as normal.

Simonovic expressed concern about statistics, which reveal that one of five women dies in the hands of her spouse in South Africa every day, according to the SABC channel.

In that regard, the UN expert called to educate children in matters related to gender equality as a way to prevent violence.

The economic empowerment of women is also important. It is necessary to give girls the possibility to live without violence, said the expert.

On Friday, Simonovic presented the preliminary conclusions of a report after her nine-day visit to South Africa, where she met with government authorities, civil society representatives, NGOs, shelters' officials.

The expert commended South Africa on its laws to protect women and its Constitution, but identified a problem with the implementation of some legislation.

 

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News ID 112790

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