Women should not be expected to take increasing responsibility for their own safety amid rising violence, according to Women for Change’s Sabrina Walter.
Walter says women are already taking numerous precautions to protect themselves and should not be expected to carry the burden of preventing violence.
“Look at the lengths women already go to stay alive,” she says.
Her comments come as police urge women to take extra precautions following the disappearance of runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo.
Three other women’s bodies were previously discovered in the Rhodesfield area, with police investigating whether some of the cases may be linked.
Police have confirmed that one of the victims, a 37-year-old woman, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in July. The man has since been arrested, while two other cases remain under investigation.
A fifth woman’s body was later found in Olifantsfontein, more than 20 kilometres from Rhodesfield. She was discovered partially clothed.
On Tuesday, another woman’s body was found in Kwa-Thema, also in Ekurhuleni.
Police have advised women to run in groups, share their locations with others and remain vigilant.
However, Walter says such advice places the focus on women rather than addressing the causes of violence and failures within the criminal justice system.
“We are in the middle of a national disaster. That must mean something operationally,” she says.
Walter is calling for greater urgency, coordination, prevention and accountability from police and other state institutions tasked with protecting women and children.
“It is the responsibility of the police and state to create a country in which women and children are safe,” she says.
She questions why a heightened police response appears to have followed the discovery of multiple women’s bodies.
Walter points to public warnings, additional resources and the establishment of multidisciplinary task teams, arguing that these measures should have been implemented earlier.
“Prevention cannot begin after the fourth body. Where was this level of urgency after the first woman was found?” she asks.
She says law enforcement needs to shift from responding to violence after it occurs to actively preventing it.
Walter also wants reports of violence, stalking, threats and protection-order violations to be treated with urgency, while families should not be forced to organise their own searches when loved ones go missing.
“The women in this country are tired and are angry,” she says.
Walter says women should be able to live freely without constantly having to calculate what they need to do to stay alive.