Gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa costs the country between R28 and R42 billion. This includes the cost of hospitalisation, interdicts, psychological care and legal aid for women affected by GBV.

This harsh reality was one of the many topics that were unpacked during a discussion series that formed part of the annual Toyota US Woordfees, held in Stellenbosch last week. The discussion series provided a platform for Stellenbosch University's (SU) thought leaders to participate in topical discussions with experts in various fields.

Gender Based Violence

Prof Amanda Gouws, the SARChI Chair in Gender Politics in the Department of Political Science at SU and Lisa Vetten, a researcher and Mellon Doctoral Fellow from the University of Witwatersrand, unpacked a recent report from the auditing firm KPMG, which revealed the cost of gender-based violence in South Africa.

According to Vetten, the cost are not only of monetary value. There are the invisible costs of the impact of trauma on women and on society and the irreparable loss of faith in the state.

“We need to look at the physical and the mental cost to women affected by gender-based violence. Unfortunately there is a low rate in arrest or the prosecution of perpetrators in South Africa, which has a toll on victims and those who believe there is no point in coming forward with cases," said Vetten.

She also believes that the influence of social media has placed more priority on certain GBV cases than others, resulting in many cases never receiving the attention they should from authorities and the larger South African public.

According to Gouws, during her research work at the Department of Political Science, she also found that there were many bureaucracy and policy issues plaguing South Africa, which affected GBV cases.

“It's important for the public and authorities to not only focus on high profile cases, but to ensure that every woman's case gets the same attention. Sometimes the cases of poor women don't necessarily get the same attention, but all lives matter – the lives of poor women matter as well," said Gouws.

Vetten also said that other forms of violence and crime in the country could have a direct impact on the increase of GBV cases.

“We should pay attention to all kinds of violence and how it connects to gender-based violence. We also need to look at the process of rehabilitation for prisoners and if it is actually effective. Sometimes it's not just about the violent crime that happens, but the mental state of those who commit the crime that needs to be looked at if we really want to solve the gender-based violence crisis in the country."

Youth Unemployment

A discussion on youth unemployment facilitated by Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Director: Social Impact & Transformation at SU focused on the many challenges South African youth face when trying to find employment after matric or graduating from higher education institutions.

Van Rooi was joined for the discussion by Rulof P Burger, lecturer and researcher at the Department of Economics at SU, as well as Kim Smith, executive support and project manager in the office of the Western Cape Department of Social Development and Evan Jones who is Group Strategy Director at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator.

Smith said that it was important for the public and private sector to work together to solve the unemployment issue. “Sometimes the public sector is limited in innovation and creative ways of coming up with jobs for young people, because we have a responsibility to not waste public money. However, where the public sector falls short, the private sector can do so much to help with unemployment."

According to Burger, it has now become more important to help young people find jobs than ever before. “There are many issues plaguing young people when it comes to finding a job. The job market has changed and just having a matric certificate is not enough anymore."

Books as therapy

Prof Julia Claassens from the Faculty of Theology at SU, spoke to Dr Nadia Sanger from the English Department at SU about the therapeutic role of books.

During their discussion, they reflected on the role of trauma literature in the classroom and about the books that people read that could open new worlds to them. They also tried to understand what role books played in making readers aware of systemic sexism, racism, poverty and homophobia and how books can help people live and think differently.

“I've always found something in books that has helped me through traumatic experiences. There is power in how fictional literature can name and deal with trauma, which non-fiction cannot," said Sanger.

Sanger also believes that it is important for students and people in general to read widely on different topics and different genres, so they can understand the differences in those who are not necessarily part of their inner everyday circle.