Letters | GBV spiralling out of control

Violence against women and young girls in South Africa is spiralling out of control while political leaders show indifference to this plague that is wrecking our society, families and women’s lives.

Imagine a woman facing her daily responsibilities towards her family. And after a long day’s work she must still face the trip home on a taxi that she may not survive, and the final walk through streets where the lights haven’t functioned for years.

This is the reality for most women. They are the backbone of society but they are treated poorly by men. SA should hang it’s head in shame, especially the men, most of whom watch events unfold without lifting a finger to stop them. Where are the politicians who run the country, both male and female?

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What have they done to curb this? The best women can hope for is another commission of inquiry. The politicians are so concerned about their own safety that about R2,5 billion is spent each year on bodyguards and armoured-plated vehicles to protect them.

How many streetlights could be fixed with those funds? Stop wasting time trying to teach Israel a lesson on proper behaviour, and direct your efforts to the male population whose votes keep you in power.

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Our president should ask new Brics chommy, Iran, how to deal with murder and rape; 100 lashes would be the minimum. Unfortunately, women’s rights in SA are no different to our collapsing local municipalities.

But women have the power to do something for themselves: Use your vote to bring about change. Murders and rapes happen in municipalities, so before you vote in the local elections, check on the candidates.

Get a commitment from them individually, along with their political party, that they will give gender-based violence the priority it deserves. You have the power in your hands, make it count.

A. L. NORMAN Howick