Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become one of the biggest global challenges of our time. It happens everywhere in homes, schools, workplaces, and even online. GBV includes physical abuse, sexual assault, psychological harm, and even economic control. Although both men and women can experience it, women and girls are the most affected.
Across the world, women are refusing to stay silent. They are speaking out, demanding justice, and building stronger communities where everyone no matter their gender feels safe.
The Alarming Numbers Behind GBV
According to the United Nations, 736 million women, that’s 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Most of these attacks are committed by partners or family members.
In 2023 alone, about 51,100 women and girls were killed by someone in their family or by an intimate partner, that’s around 140 deaths every single day.
The situation is worse in areas affected by war and displacement. The UN recorded over 4,600 cases of sexual violence in conflict zones in 2024, an 87% increase compared to the previous year. Sadly, even young girls are not safe; one in eight girls worldwide has been raped or sexually assaulted before turning 18.
Real Women, Real Stories
Behind every statistic is a woman whose life was cut short or forever changed by violence.
In South Africa, several tragic cases have shocked the nation and the world:
Anene Booysen, a 17-year-old from Bredasdorp, was gang-raped and brutally mutilated by men from her community in 2013. Her case sparked national outrage and exposed deep-rooted problems of violence against women in South Africa.
Nosicelo Mtebeni, a young university law student, was killed and dismembered by her boyfriend in 2021. Her murder sparked campus protests and highlighted the dangers many women face even in relationships that appear safe.
Olorato Mongale, 30, was found murdered in Johannesburg in 2025 after being reported missing. Her case became a painful reminder that femicide remains a daily reality in South Africa.
Other well-known cases around the world show that GBV is not just an African problem, it is global:
Nirbhaya, a 23-year-old student from India, was gang-raped on a bus in New Delhi in 2012 and later died from her injuries. Her story led to major protests and new laws to protect women.
In the United Kingdom, Sarah Everard was kidnapped and murdered by a police officer in 2021 while walking home. The case sparked public anger and discussions about women’s safety in public spaces.
In South Africa, model Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed by her partner, former athlete Oscar Pistorius, in 2013. Her death brought global attention to domestic violence.
These women’s names remind the world that GBV is not just a “women’s issue.” It is a human issue, one that demands justice and action from everyone.
How Women and Communities Are Fighting Back
Despite the pain, women around the world are fighting back in powerful ways.
In Rwanda, the government created Isange One Stop Centers, where survivors of GBV can get free medical care, legal help, and counseling, all in one place. This model is being copied by other African countries.
In Kenya, organizations like Usikimye use social media and community patrols to rescue women and children from dangerous homes.
In South Africa, movements such as #AmINext continue to put pressure on leaders to strengthen laws against GBV and ensure faster justice for victims.
Technology and education are also powerful tools. In India, apps like Safetipin help women report unsafe areas and call for help. In Mexico, women use WhatsApp groups to warn each other about danger zones. Schools in countries like Sweden and Canada teach students about respect and consent shaping a new generation that values equality.
The Role of Men and Boys
To truly end GBV, men must also be part of the solution. Around the world, men are joining movements like HeForShe, which encourages them to speak out and act against violence. In some African communities, male leaders now teach other men about peaceful family life, respect, and positive masculinity.
Social Media as a Tool for Change
In today’s digital age, social media has become one of the most powerful tools in the fight against gender-based violence. On TikTok, Instagram, and X (Twitter), young women are using their voices and creativity to raise awareness. Many are changing their profile pictures to purple, the official color that represents the fight against violence toward women and posting purple hearts to show unity and support for survivors. Through hashtags, storytelling, and short videos, girls are spreading the message that silence protects the abuser, not the victim. These online campaigns have turned into global movements, helping survivors feel seen, heard, and supported.
Moving Forward: From Awareness to Action
The stories of Anene, Nosicelo, Olorato, and others show why the fight against GBV can’t stop at awareness. Governments must enforce laws that protect women. Police need better training to handle GBV cases with respect and urgency. Communities must continue to educate both boys and girls about equality and safety.
The fight against gender-based violence is not only a women’s issue, it is a human issue that affects families, communities, and nations. Every statistic represents a life lost or a future shattered, but also a reason to keep fighting. From the brave girls sharing their stories on TikTok to the communities rescuing survivors and the governments passing stronger laws, change is happening slowly, but surely.
If men and women continue to stand side by side, breaking the silence and challenging harmful norms, a safer world is possible, one where no woman lives in fear, and every girl grows up knowing that her life, her voice, and her body truly matter.
Each time a woman speaks up, marches for justice, or helps another survivor heal; the world takes one step closer to balance
Ending gender-based violence is not a dream; it’s a collective responsibility. When women are safe, society becomes stronger, more peaceful, and more equal for everyone.
Brenna AKARABO
RADIOTV10
