ADVERTORIAL CSVR - ANNAH MOYO - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Executive Director at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) This year, the commemoration of womxn’s month brings about a bag of mixed
feelings. Some strides have been made towards protecting and safeguarding womxn’s rights, security and bodily
integrity, however, the reality on the ground is proof that these safeguards are yet to become a practical reality for womxn in South Africa.
Two shocking incidents targeting womxn and girls preluded this year’s women’s
month. The rape of eight womxn between
Women’s Month: A stark reminder of how far we still have to go in ensuring women’s safety and security in South Africa 64 | Public Sector Leaders | August 2022
the ages of 19 and 35, in Krugersdorp
on 29 July and the hacking to death of
two schoolgirls in Ngwangwane village,
KwaZulu-Natal on 1 August 2022. The two abhorrent incidents are an affront to the protection of womxn and their bodies through GBV laws, policies and plans in place to combat violence against
womxn in South Africa. The timing of these brutal attacks on womxn, just before the commemoration of womxn’s month and
during Africa’s womxn’s day is an affront
to the women’s month and the continentwide celebration of womxn.
The bodies of womxn and girls have
become a living and daily site of violence
and human insecurity. We must ponder on
this, as we commemorate womxn’s month. Being a womxn has become a bodily