Solid Gold Sunday

Based on questions about domestic violence to women 18 years and older‚ 21% of ever-partnered women report that they had experienced physical violence by a partner‚ and 8% report that they experienced physical violence in the past 12 months

— The South African Demographic and Health Survey findings

Over the past couple of days, social media networks and newspaper reports have brought to light the ongoing, horrific violence towards women and children.

Susan Shabangu, minister in the presidency responsible for women says it devastating to hear of women who are abused and murdered.

We need to mobilise men and not only women to make sure society as a whole is about to address the scourge of violence against women.

— Susan Shabangu, Minister in the presidency responsible for women

Shabangu adds that gender-based violence should be fought daily.

She says patriarchy is a contributing factor towards violence against women and children. Shabangu also says that her department has begun hosting national dialogues where both men and women are addressed about violence and abuse.

Also read: "Ministry of Women's silence on killings a great disappointment"

The issue of involving and engaging men is to precisely understand why they behave in this manner.

— Susan Shabangu, Minister in the presidency responsible for women

Take a listen to the full interview with the minister here:

Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety also joined in on the conversation saying her department is doing their best to ensure they are prioritizing the safety of women and children. She says they've gone as far as setting up a task team, made up of women and men who are trained as both forensic social workers and detectives, to investigate crimes against women and children. She adds that the task team has already made some arrests.

We want men to be actively involved in the protection of women.

— Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety

Nkosi-Malobane adds that her department is monitoring the efficiency of police services and whether or not they are equipped with the adequacy to handle cases of abuse and rape.

Listen here: