Gender-based violence (GBV) casts a long shadow over society. It is a human rights violation with farreaching consequences, transcending gender lines and socioeconomic boundaries. It is also a global epidemic that is particularly rampant in South Africa, where rural areas bear a disproportionate burden.
While typically associated with interpersonal relationships, the reach of GBV extends far beyond homes and workplaces, penetrating deeply into industries like agriculture. Its economic toll is staggering, with losses in productivity and GDP equivalent to significant national expenditures.
In a 2014 report titled 'Too costly to ignore - the economic impact of gender-based violence in South Africa', professional services firm KPMG delved into how GBV affects South Africa in other economic and developmental ways.
"Based on prevalence rates of between 20% and 30% of women experiencing gender-based violence within a given year, this study estimates that the economic impact of that violence is between at least R28,4 billion and R42,4 billion for the year 2012/13, representing 0,9% and 1,3% of GDP, respectively," the report says.
SYSTEMIC INEQUALITIES
It is no coincidence that there is a correlation between GBV and agriculture; it stems from systemic inequalities, posing grave threats to productivity, sustainability and overall well-being within the sector. Women farmers and farmworkers in Africa face a multitude of challenges, with violence being among the most severe. Beyond the immediate physical and mental toll that GBV takes on these women, it also hampers their ability to work and provide for their families, perpetuating cycles of poverty and suffering.
EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
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Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
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Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
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Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
