This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Published on September 19, 2019, protests against femicide have been sweeping South Africa in recent weeks, following a series of shocking murders, including the rape and killing of a student in a post office.
According to Women's Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, more than 30 women were killed by their spouses last month, sparking widespread outrage and calls for action.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an emergency plan to stop the resurgence in violence against women, describing South Africa as one of the most unsafe places in the world to be a woman.
At the Saartjie Baartman Centre For Women and Children in Athlone, Cape Town, director Bernadine Bachar says urgent action is needed to address the crisis.
"We've absolutely seen an increase in gender-based violence over the past three months," she says. "Not only has the number of women affected increased, but they're suffering from more intensive injuries than they used to before."
Bachar blames a lack of government intervention, high levels of substance abuse, and unprecedented unemployment rates for the surge in violence, as well as a lack of education and awareness among the public.
One abuse survivor, Rachel Petersen, recounted a bitter experience with authorities, saying she was told that the police didn't get involved in 'house issues' despite being covered in blood.
