Healing The Wounds Of Violence: A Collective Responsibility
“Violence against women and children is a pandemic that thrives in silence and indifference. To end it, every hand must join in, every voice must rise, and every heart must care.”
South Africa stands at a crossroads where the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) is an undeniable scar on our collective conscience. According to studies, one in three South African women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Behind each statistic lies a name, a face, and a story—a woman, a child, or a family navigating the aftermath of trauma that ripples through lives and communities.
16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign
The 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign is a global call to action, urging us all to confront this crisis head-on. It is a time to amplify the voices of survivors, challenge societal norms that enable violence, and foster accountability at every level. This campaign serves as both a spotlight and a rallying cry, reminding us of the urgency to act—not just for 16 days, but every single day.
At the heart of this crisis are medical professionals, often the first point of contact for survivors of violence. They are in a unique position to identify, respond to, and support those affected, making their role crucial in the fight against GBV. However, the weight of this epidemic does not rest on their shoulders alone. It calls for all of us—healthcare workers, policymakers, educators, and citizens—to take collective action and transform our shared reality.
The Silent Symptoms of GBV
GBV often manifests in ways that are not immediately visible. Broken bones can be treated, but the wounds of abuse—mental health disorders, chronic pain, reproductive health complications—often linger long after the violence ends. For survivors, visiting a healthcare provider may be their first and only opportunity to speak up. Medical professionals hold a sacred responsibility: to recognise the signs of abuse and provide a safe space for disclosure. Yet, the healthcare system alone cannot bear the burden of healing. GBV is not just a health crisis, it is a societal one.
As one survivor poignantly noted,
“When I left the hospital, my bruises healed. But I needed more than medicine—I needed someone to help me believe in my worth again.”
The health impacts of violence
GBV leaves devastating and multifaceted scars:
Physical Health: From fractures to internal injuries, survivors of violence often suffer long-term physical damage. The risk of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions also skyrockets.
Mental Health: Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts are common among survivors. Violence erodes a person’s sense of safety and self-worth, leaving mental wounds that require compassionate care.
Economic Impact: Beyond the personal toll, the ripple effect of GBV on South Africa’s economy is profound. Lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and disrupted education perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.
The Role of Medical Professionals
The medical community plays a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of violence. A doctor’s intervention can be the turning point in a survivor’s journey—from pain to healing, from silence to empowerment, the following must be prioritised:
Recognising the Signs
Medical professionals must be trained to spot the often-hidden signs of GBV. A patient presenting with unexplained injuries or frequent visits for vague ailments may be silently crying for help.
Providing Safe Spaces
Healthcare facilities must become sanctuaries of trust, where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. One empathetic conversation can plant the seeds of courage for a survivor to seek help.
Advocating for Change
Doctors, nurses, and therapists can amplify their impact by advocating for policies that protect survivors and prevent violence. Their voices lend credibility and urgency to a cause that demands attention.
Collective Action: It Takes a Village to Heal a Nation
Ending GBV is not just a task for medical professionals, it is a societal mission. If GBV is the fire that consumes our communities, collective action is the water that douses it.
Education as Prevention
Ignorance fuels violence. Schools, workplaces, and communities must foster conversations that challenge harmful norms and teach respect and equality.
Stigma-Free Support
Survivors need more than medical care; they need a community that believes them, supports them, and stands with them. Each of us can be the ally who replaces judgment with kindness.
Policy and Accountability
South Africa’s laws must not only exist on paper but be enforced with unwavering commitment. Institutions must hold perpetrators accountable and ensure survivors receive justice and reparations.
A Call to Action: Be the Light in the Darkness
GBV thrives in silence. To fight it, we must break that silence with every tool at our disposal: our voices, our actions, our collective will. Medical professionals cannot fight this battle alone. It will take all of us, united by compassion and driven by urgency to bring about change.
As Desmond Tutu once said,
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
We Break The Silence And The Cycle
From prevalence to prevention- together, we break the silence and the cycle.
GBV may be prevalent, but it is not inevitable. Together, we can turn the tide. With every healed wound, every compassionate conversation, and every act of collective action, we inch closer to a South Africa where violence is no longer a shadow over our communities but a distant memory.
Doctors, be vigilant, compassionate, and unwavering advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. Communities, create safe spaces where survivors can share their stories free from fear and stigma. And to everyone, stand up, speak out, and take action—because every small step chips away at the mountain of violence, bringing us closer to a world where no one suffers in silence.
The question is not whether we can make a difference. The question is whether we will. Will you join the fight to end GBV and become a beacon of hope in someone’s darkest hour?
“Healing begins with us. Empowerment starts now. The time for action is today.”
