Minister Chikunga Urges Social Cohesion To End Gender-Based Violence

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga called for social unity to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), after a brutal murder of a woman by her boyfriend.

Shana Balie, 25, was found dead in her boyfriend's home in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, Cape Town, on Dec. 26, 2024. Allegedly, she was beaten to death by her boyfriend, Jonathan Gewindt. Her family saw her for the last time on Christmas Day.

Her body was found by the police buried in the backyard of the house where her boyfriend was renting. Gewindt has confessed to the murder and is set to appear in Blue Downs Magistrate Court on Thursday, SA News reported.

The Minister is scheduled to visit the Balie family's home on Thursday to show her support for the family, confirm her commitment to ensuring justice for the victim, and offer comfort during their time of grief.

Chikunga said that the ongoing issue of gender-based violence and femicide reflects deep-rooted societal norms and structures that promote male dominance, misogyny, gender inequality, and power imbalances within families and communities.

Chikunga explained that this situation leads to the subordination of women and systemic inequalities, which result in violence against women and girls. She emphasized that addressing both cultural and legal aspects is crucial for creating a fair and equal society, where gender norms do not continue to support violence and inequality.

The minister further said that action must be taken not only to address immediate cases of gender-based violence and femicide but also to tackle the cultural, structural, and systemic factors that keep this violence going.

She stressed that efforts must focus on empowering women and creating a society free from all forms of gender-based violence. Despite the government's commitment to end gender-based violence and femicide, Chikunga pointed out that South Africa continues to face this issue, along with intimate partner violence, which is a result of gender-based violence.

Chikunga noted that the high rates of gender-based violence, despite existing laws and policies, show the need for a more complete approach. This approach should not only address immediate violence but also focus on the underlying issues that trap women and girls in these harmful situations.

Last year in November, Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka "Steve" Letsike said that the power imbalance between men and women leads to the violation of women's rights.