CORPORATE ACTIVISM

WHEN IS ENOUGH,

ENOUGH? Is the cost of gender-based violence high enough to make corporates sit up, take note and act? By NYIKO SHIBURI, CEO, 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, MultiChoice South Africa To play its part, the MultiChoice Group launched the #StandAgainstGBV initiative last according to a KPMG report. year in partnership with the Department of

When we consider that these funds could Social Development, People Opposing Women be utilised towards fuelling more thriving Abuse and the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation societies, it begs the question: has the cost to speak out against the injustices of GBV. The of gender-based violence (both economically partnership, which seeks to be a sustainable and socioeconomically) become too high for initiative, aims to educate and mobilise citizens corporate South Africa to ignore to eradicate acts of violence against women

Gender inequality is not unique to South and children. MultiChoice acknowledges that Africa. Women globally do three times more while it does not have the answers, it does have work in the home than men, and it has only the platforms to show its support for the fight intensified due to the pandemic. Many of these against GBV. women also hold full-time jobs outside of their “Our platforms enable us to reach the homes homes. The Global Gender Gap Index 2020 of millions,” says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice ranks South Africa 17th out of 153 countries, Group CEO. “By using our DStv platform and which means that we have undergone a more partnerships with organisations that are working positive gender-empowerment transformation to protect and save women, we hope to add a than many developed nations, including powerful voice that says enough is enough.” Switzerland and the United States. However, The #StandAgainstGBV initiative took a step South Africa still has among the highest levels further in August 2020 when DStv handed of intimate partner violence. According to the microphone over to courageous women crime statistics released by the South African who are taking strides towards a better Police Services in December 2020, sexual tomorrow. Nongovernmental organisations, offences reports increased by 5 per cent, with Frida Hartley Shelter, Lawyers Against Abuse 12 218 rape cases recorded between October and Cornerstone Woman, that help women 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. 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.

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. 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 #STANDAGAINSTGBV

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.