In a significant move to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has announced that the government will make a list of convicted sexual offenders and GBV perpetrators public by the end of February. This decision marks a pivotal step in the country’s ongoing efforts to address the scourge of GBV and protect vulnerable communities.
Minister Kubayi made the announcement during the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation’s 365 Days Against GBV Awareness Campaign in Soweto. The campaign, which has been active since 1998, promotes year-round initiatives to combat gender-based violence. Kubayi emphasised the importance of transparency in the fight against GBV, stating that the public register would help protect children and keep parents informed.
“One of the issues that has been reported was the need for us as a department to release the register, to make it public, for those who have been sentenced and convicted of gender-based violence, to protect our children. I have agreed that we will be able to release this,” said Kubayi.
A Broader Strategy to Combat GBV
The public register is just one part of the government’s multi-faceted approach to tackling GBV. Minister Kubayi also revealed plans to upgrade 100 district courts across the country to provide specialised services for GBV survivors. These courts will be equipped with experts trained to handle victims sensitively, work with families, and offer counselling and support.
“We want to create a supportive environment by having experts in those courts who know how to handle victims, work with families, and also offer support and counselling,” Kubayi explained.
This initiative aims to address the systemic challenges that often prevent survivors from accessing justice. By improving the court system, the government hopes to ensure that GBV cases are handled more effectively and that survivors receive the care and support they need.
Confronting the Culture of Silence
Gugu Motlanthe, executive trustee of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, highlighted the importance of breaking the culture of silence and shame that often surrounds GBV. She stressed that it is everyone’s responsibility to end violence and abuse against women, particularly when perpetrated by those in positions of power.
“There is a need to confront the culture of silence and shame that allows abusers to go unpunished,” said Motlanthe. “It is everyone’s duty to put an end to violence and abuse against women, especially by those in power.”
Motlanthe’s remarks underscore the broader societal changes needed to address GBV. While legal and institutional reforms are crucial, shifting cultural attitudes and norms is equally important in creating a safer environment for women and children.
Global Precedents for Public Registers
South Africa’s decision to create a public sex offenders register aligns with practices in other countries that have implemented similar measures to enhance community safety. For example, the United States operates the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, which provides access to sex offender registries across all 50 states. In the United Kingdom, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) shares details about individuals’ criminal histories, including sexual offences.
Globally, there is a growing trend towards greater transparency regarding sexual offenders. Public access to such information is seen as a way to improve community safety, prevent future abuse, and hold perpetrators accountable. South Africa’s move to establish a public register reflects this international shift and demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing GBV head-on.
A Long Road Ahead
While the announcement of the public register has been widely welcomed, it also highlights the challenges that remain in the fight against GBV. South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world, with femicide levels five times higher than the global average. The government’s efforts to address this crisis have been met with both praise and criticism, with many calling for more comprehensive and sustained action.
The public register is expected to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders while empowering communities with information to protect themselves. However, its success will depend on effective implementation and ongoing efforts to address the root causes of GBV, including poverty, inequality, and entrenched patriarchal attitudes.
Conclusion
The decision to publicise South Africa’s sexual offenders register represents a significant step forward in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. By making this information accessible to the public, the government aims to enhance community safety, protect vulnerable individuals, and hold perpetrators accountable.
