GBV a result of societal, cultural and structural factors: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Gender-Based Violence (GBV) contributes to social issues such as poverty and inequality.

Ramaphosa gave the keynote address at the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges in Cape Town.

Approximately 900 judges, magistrates, legal professionals and policymakers from across the world are meeting to address the global scourge of GBV and femicide through judicial leadership and activism.

Ramaphosa has urged women to speak out against the scourge and have more control over their lives.

“We know that GBV doesn’t in itself happen in a vacuum. It is the result of complex societal, cultural and structural factors. Some of which are the unequal power dynamics between men and women. Cultural norms and practices. Unemployment even, conflict and wars. But we also find more importantly, patriarchy. This right that men have that they can dominate women.”