LONDON - "We can not deal with gender-based violence after women’s bodies are found."
These are the words of a GBV survivor who has over 30 years’ experience in violence prevention.
Debi Steven said that while it is crucial to look at how the justice system deals with perpetrators of GBV and the availability of services for survivors, it is equally important to look at prevention.
“We've got to figure out a way of how to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence, which is unequal power, entitlement, and a patriarchal system that for a very long time has valued men's authority over women's anatomy.”
According to Steven, prevention must start at school level.
“Look at all children, not just boys and men. We've got to have a whole school's approach.”
“We do some incredible work which challenges the absolute root causes of GBV, which is really looking at challenging gender expectations, recognising and identifying the qualities of what a good friend means, looking at healthy relationships and boundaries as young as Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 4.”
Steven said that once students are involved in GBV intervention, other sectors, including faith organisations, can get involved.
“It's not inevitable. We are able to actually do something about this. South African women need to be able not just survive, but they need to be able to thrive. We need to be able to be our best selves. And to do that, one needs to grow up in a world where equity is just the norm.