Yeukai Chideya and Tatenda Mawoyo

Gender-based violence (GBV) is deeply rooted and widespread in South Africa, significantly impacting nearly every aspect of life. Women and adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable, often experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) which is a form of GBV.

According to the World Health Organization, IPV is “behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.” This form of violence is perpetrated by a current, former, or would-be romantic partner.

The First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study, 2022 reported that 22.4% of women had experienced physical violence from a partner in their lifetime, while 7.9% disclosed having been sexually assaulted by a partner. Additionally, the study found that 41.6% of women who had experienced physical or sexual abuse by a partner had sustained injuries from IPV. Research has also revealed that 50% of women killed in South Africa are murdered by their intimate partners. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address and prevent GBV in the country.

Given the prevalence of GBV in South Africa, the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill was signed into law on 24 May 2024. This legislation aims to strengthen the protection of women and children from violence and abuse. Women who experience IPV often find it difficult to leave abusive relationships, as they are dependent on their partner and have nowhere to go. Many have no source of income and have become isolated from their families due to the manipulation of their abuser.

The South African Government has prioritised funding for Khuseleka Care Centres, which play a vital role as one-stop support hubs for women and children experiencing GBV. These centres provide essential services, including shelter, psychosocial support, healthcare, police assistance, legal aid, school placements for children, and court preparation. Currently, there are six Khuseleka Care Centres situated in North West, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo and the Northern Cape.

We both previously worked at The Trauma Centre For Survivors of Violence and Torture (Trauma Centre), where it was rare to encounter a woman who was ready to take the risk of leaving her abusive partner and starting a new life.

One of our responsibilities as trauma counsellors was to find a place of safety where these women, often accompanied by their children, could stay temporarily. This provided them with time to rebuild their lives, receive counselling, gain skills to earn an income and plan their future. One of the shelters we frequently turned to was The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.

For the past 26 years, the Saartjie Baartman Centre has offered shelter to women and their children who have escaped from abusive relationships. It provides a range of services, including psychosocial support, an economic empowerment programme, and an advocacy and rights programme. The shelter has been a source of solace and support for many women in Cape Town and surrounding areas.

On 04 March 2025, news reports revealed that The Saartjie Baartman Centre had been temporarily closed until further notice after gang violence in Manenberg spilled into the Centre’s premises. This exposure to gang violence resulted in women and children already affected by GBV being relocated to other facilities. The temporary closure of such a vital refuge not only disrupts the lives of survivors but also highlights the dire need for more secure, long-term solutions to protect those seeking safety from abuse. This reiterates the observation that in times of crisis, those who are already vulnerable suffer the most.

The temporary closure of The Saartjie Baartman Centre also creates a crisis for social workers, law enforcement, and other professionals providing services to women experiencing GBV, as there are limited shelters that offer essential support for survivors. This crisis is further heightened by ongoing financial struggles. Insufficient funding threatens the sustainability of these vital spaces, making it even more difficult for survivors to find safety.

Last year, the 1000 Women Trust revealed that 14 of the 20 shelters in the Western Cape Women's Shelter Movement (WSM) were on the verge of closing. Without consistent financial and structural support for shelters, the already limited options for survivors of GBV will continue to dwindle, leaving many women and children with nowhere to turn.