Every day, between 10 and 15 women lose their lives to gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa – a devastating statistic that positions the country among the world’s most dangerous places to be a woman. In the midst of International Women’s Day that is celebrated on 8 March in the Netherlands, this presentation will focus on the alarming reality of femicide in South Africa, where women face a murder rate five times higher than the global average.
Drawing on the latest research and statistics, this presentation will reveal how South Africa’s femicide rate represents not just numbers, but a national epidemic demanding urgent attention. With nearly 60% of female homicides committed by intimate partners – husbands, boyfriends, or lovers – this presentation examines the systemic factors perpetuating this violence and the devastating impact of conviction rates that see fewer than 12% of the cases reaching justice.
Anja van der Merwe
As a South African journalist documenting these stories from the frontlines, Anja van der Merwe will provide both statistical context and human perspective on how this crisis affects families, communities, and the nation’s social fabric. This presentation aims to bridge understanding between the Netherlands and South Africa on one of our most pressing human rights challenges, fostering dialogue about solutions and solidarity in the fight against gender-based violence.
Join us for this lecture on the 26th of February! Or watch the livestream on YouTube.