Breaking the cycle: evaluating the effectiveness of gender-based violence awareness programs aimed at South African youth

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue in South Africa, affecting mostly women and girls. This research studies the effectiveness of GBV awareness programs aimed at South African youth and how they are situated within the broader historical and socio-economic context of Johannesburg. With the use of postcolonial and intersectionality theory, this study investigates how structural and socio-economic dynamics have an impact on these programs. In addition, Critical Masculinity Theory, intergenerational trauma, and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory have been used as they provide insightful lenses to analyse findings related to behavioural aspects, as well as socio-economic backgrounds of participants who are enrolled in GBV awareness programs. This research has been conducted at a child- and youth care centre named Kids Haven in Benoni, a town near Johannesburg. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews with facilitators of the programs, councillors and psychologists were the main methods of use, providing valuable data which is used for the qualitative analysis. Findings highlight how socio-economic backgrounds of participants, lack of trust in the government and judicial bodies, and structural underfunding of the programs affect the effectiveness of the programs overall. In addition, a structural lack of boys participating in the programs due to societal stigma critically undermines the effectiveness of the programs, as boys and men tend to be the main perpetrators of GBV. Furthermore, the silence surrounding GBV contributes to the perpetuation of it, as it critically diminishes awareness of the phenomenon. Concluding this study, it can be noted that the effectiveness of GBV programs cannot be studied without considering the broader socio-economic and historical context these programs are embedded in. These findings can contribute to research and policy development of GBV awareness programs, highlighting the need for a more context driven approach.