CORP OR AT E AC T I V ISM
WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH?
G
ender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa costs the economy between R28.4-billion and R42.4-billion annually, and is one of the most expensive public health problems globally, according to a KPMG report. When we consider that these funds could be utilised towards fuelling more thriving societies, it begs the question: has the cost of gender-based violence (both economically and socioeconomically) become too high for corporate South Africa to ignore Gender inequality is not unique to South Africa. Women globally do three times more work in the home than men, and it has only intensified due to the pandemic. Many of these women also hold full-time jobs outside of their homes. The Global Gender Gap Index 2020 ranks South Africa 17th out of 153 countries, which means that we have undergone a more positive gender-empowerment transformation than many developed nations, including Switzerland and the United States. However, South Africa still has among the highest levels of intimate partner violence. According to crime statistics released by the South African Police Services in December 2020, sexual offences reports increased by 5 per cent, with 12 218 rape cases recorded between October and December 2020. It was a 1.5 per cent increase from the third quarter of the year. Over the years, government has worked to set in place measures and remedies against GBV, but with our growing population and increase in violence, the efforts of the public sector alone are not enough to sustain ongoing campaigns.
Is the cost of gender-based violence high enough to make corporates sit up, take note and act? By NYIKO SHIBURI, CEO, MultiChoice South Africa To play its part, the MultiChoice Group launched the #StandAgainstGBV initiative last year in partnership with the Department of Social Development, People Opposing Women Abuse and the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation to speak out against the injustices of GBV. The partnership, which seeks to be a sustainable initiative, aims to educate and mobilise citizens to eradicate acts of violence against women and children. MultiChoice acknowledges that while it does not have the answers, it does have the platforms to show its support for the fight against GBV. “Our platforms enable us to reach the homes of millions,” says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO. “By using our DStv platform and partnerships with organisations that are working to protect and save women, we hope to add a powerful voice that says enough is enough.” The #StandAgainstGBV initiative took a step further in August 2020 when DStv handed the microphone over to courageous women who are taking strides towards a better tomorrow. Nongovernmental organisations, Frida Hartley Shelter, Lawyers Against Abuse and Cornerstone Woman, that help women
DID YOU KNOW?
The costs of gender-based violence – which amount to between 0.9 per cent and 1.3 per cent of gross domestic product annually – include health, justice and other service costs, lost earnings, lost revenues, lost taxes, and second-generation costs, which are the costs of children witnessing and living with violence, such as increased juvenile and adult crime. Source: KPMG
who have been affected by GBV received one week of airtime on DStv where they could create awareness around the work they do. This coincided with a takeover of DStv’s social media channels. When it comes to GBV, the message from MultiChoice is clear: there is no place or tolerance in society for anyone and any behaviour that hurts and marginalises women. Now is the time for corporate South Africa to reinvigorate the national dialogue on GBV and help inform action among civil society.
#STANDAGAINSTGBV
By using our DStv platform and partnerships with organisations that are working to protect and save women, we hope to add a powerful voice that says enough is enough.
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CORPORATES NEED TO JOIN THE FIGHT Enter the private sector … with its financial power and ability to mobilise resources to draw attention to the seriousness of GBV. This sector commands the respect of various stakeholders and, owing to brand credibility, has the influence to make people listen. Ultimately, raising awareness around GBV is the right thing to do and should form part of corporate responsibility because businesses do not operate in a vacuum – they are part and parcel of the communities in which they operate. In the same way that women have been driving change and contributing towards building thriving economies, so corporate South Africa needs to raise awareness around the injustices facing women.
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