16 days of activism to end Violence Against Women - South Africa

For The 16 days of activism to end Violence Against Women (25th November – 10th December)
The International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS declares our full support for a South African woman who recently accused the former Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, of rape.

Not only does sexual violence against women increase their risk of HIV infection, but in addition women often experience much violence after their HIV diagnosis. Although violence against women is a violation of our rights we have nonetheless felt the tide of public opinion turn against us when our HIV status has become known.

Through the South African Bill of Rights, national laws enshrine the right of women, whether HIV positive or negative, to live free of violence, including sexual violence. South Africa is also a signatory of international laws that uphold these rights and we urge the government to turn its paper commitments into practice. We wait to see justice take its course and avoid bringing shame to the nation. However, we hold little hope given that the legal system in South Africa has historically let survivors of violence down - conviction rates are low and legal services for women nearly non-existent. Meanwhile, an epidemic of rape goes unchecked in South Africa.

Violence against women is not just a problem particular to South Africa, but a global issue that has not been given the political attention it deserves, despite the presence of national and international laws. ICW therefore appeals to all governments to uphold the right of women to live free of violence and free of the fear of violence.

We urge that governments around the world recognise that HIV positive women are often more vulnerable to violence and that everybody from all sectors of society declare their full support and solidarity to all survivors and victims of violence, regardless of their HIV status when the violence occurred.

This statement was developed by the 60 women from 15 countries in Africa who attended the Treatment Literacy Workshop in Kampala, Uganda, 28-30 of November 2005

• If you want to read more about the links between gender violence and HIV, from HIV positive women’s perspectives visit our publications web page at www.icw.org. For further details of ICW’s work please contact ICW’s Communications and Research Officer, Emma Bell, at emma@icw.org.**