Advocacy Against Gender-based Violence
Most of our partner projects face the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) in their communities. It affects many families, directly harming children and adults alike. That’s why E3 is supporting our partners as they seek to educate, challenge cultural norms, protect those who are vulnerable and support abuse survivors.
Some E3 partners already have experience in protecting people’s rights and transforming situations where sexual and gender-based violence exist. We are learning from their experiences.
E3’s gender-based violence programme is helping leaders change lives and give abuse survivors a voice in our partner communities.
More about E3’s gender-based violence programme and the difference it is making in partner communities.
“With tears of joy, I thank you for this workshop because it saved the life of someone who was about to commit suicide. She was saying her husband was abusing her and no one seemed to understand her, but after the workshop she confided in me.”
A pastor in South Africa who attended a gender-based violence workshop.
Why is gender-based violence so widespread?
In a patriarchal society, women and girls have historically been unlikely to report cases of abuse or violence and when they do speak up, they are told by family members to keep quiet to protect the perpetrator, who is often known to the family. It is not just women who are affected. A growing number of GBV cases are against men.
Research has shown that income poverty and food insecurity increase the likelihood of gender-based violence in the home. Conflict is more likely when there is a lack of resources.
Abuse survivors are less likely to leave abusive relationships when they depend on their partners for income.
Historically, when people reported abuse to the police there was a lack of action, but fortunately this is changing.
Pastor Vuyani, leader of Umvini Community Foundation, explains the context in South African communities: “Gender-based Violence is about so much more than a man abusing a woman or child. Particularly in rural communities, there are many ancient rules for women to obey. For example, there are certain places in the village where women are not allowed. Sometimes they are not permitted to speak in community meetings. In some places, women are not supposed to carry money. The rules are many and differ from one family to another.
“The gender-based violence workshops with E3 have given us a platform to talk about these issues and challenge the status quo. Emotional, financial, spiritual and physical GBV must be addressed now so young men and girls are equipped to live differently. Challenging stereotypes is starting to show results, but there is still a long way to go – especially in rural areas where most GBV issues are endorsed by high authorities, and no one is allowed to challenge them.”
Our advocacy work includes:
Workshops to raise awareness among community leaders, adults and children, and help communities take a stand and support those affected.
Life Skills programme and Girls’ Clubs for Back to School children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Flourish, which is run by a group of young adults from King’s Community Projects in Pietermaritzburg, to educate young people about sexual health, healthy boundaries in relationships, and advocacy against abuse and rape, as well as encouraging dialogue between church and community leaders, NGOs and other key stakeholders to encourage change in society.
Lulisandla Kumntwana and Zimele Wethu use sports tournaments to mobilise community people and speak about sexual abuse with participants in KwaZulu-Natal.
Umvini Community Foundation in Pietermaritzburg is concerned about the increasing numbers of sexual abuse cases and runs workshops to educate teenagers about sexual abuse.
A children’s healing, support and recreation centre run by Inceboyenkosi Community Foundation in Swayimane reaches out to 450 women, children and young people.
Sexual abuse and violence are major issues in South Africa:
80%
Of all reported sexual offences are rape, and 68.5% of the victims are females.
40%
Of rapes are committed against children.
19%
Of child abuse cases in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape were referred to the Police by Social Services.
3,260+
female adolescents aged from 10-14 years old gave birth in 2018 (Recorded Live Births).
The difference your donation makes
£30 / $40 can enable 8 people to go to a GBV workshop, which includes facilitator costs, a simple meal, a notebook and pen.
£200 / $271 helps fund an abuse survivor to stay at Abrina Esther House for 6 months. E3 supports a proportion of the costs for nutritious food and the skills training. Without this funding the shelter cannot operate.
E3 partners reached 6,480 adults and children to advocate against gender-based violence in 2024.