Navigating human rights and cultural dynamics in the context of gender-based violence in South Africa

Mmaphuti Percy Dipela
Additional contact information
Mmaphuti Percy Dipela: University of South Africa

International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), 2025, vol. 7, issue 4, 270-278

Abstract: This paper seeks to explore the realities of gender-based violence (GBV) within the African context with a special focus on how traditions, cultural norms, and values are perceived at the dawn of the recognition of human rights. Culture, human rights, and GBV are deeply interconnected and have significant implications for individuals, communities, and societies at large. It must be noted that the paper does not seek to condone patriarchy or harmful practices that promote gender-based violence; rather, it aims to create a balance between these cultural practices and responses to gender-based violence. The dawn of human rights and legislative frameworks, which to some extent challenge the existence of some practices as not being in line with human rights, has led to some power struggles and imbalances within the relationships. The introduction of human rights and equality, which resulted in most programs focusing on empowering women, such as the 50/50 principle, without necessarily preparing men to live with empowered women, may be perceived by men as challenging their authority. These developments may create frustrated men who see empowered women as a challenge to their leadership, culture, and tradition, and in defense, most men resort to violence as a way of trying to maintain their authority within the family structure. This paper will expand on how patriarchal social structures, cultural norms and traditional practices, colonialism, economic marginalization, resistance, and resilience impact efforts to address GBV. The author conducted desktop research and realized that efforts to prevent GBV should recognize the psychological realities and frustrations of culturally inclined men. Key Words:Gender based vilence, culture, patriachy

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.bussecon.com/ojs/index.php/ijbes/article/view/834/537 (application/pdf)
https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v7i4.834 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:adi:ijbess:v:7:y:2025:i:4:p:270-278

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293) is currently edited by Umit Hacioglu

More articles in International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293) from Bussecon International Academy Bussecon International Academy, School of Business, IHU, Ordu cad. F-05 Blok No 3, 34480 Basaksehir, Istanbul, Turkey. Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Umit Hacioglu ().