Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Peter Fabricius
Published on 2024-03-08 10:37:30
A new national opinion survey conducted in South Africa revealed that one in four South Africans believe that rape can sometimes be justified in wartime. The survey, commissioned by the Women’s Action Campaign SA (Wacsa), aimed to explore the reasons for the muted responses in the country to the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas militants in Israel on October 7, 2023. The group of women behind the survey expressed concerns about sexual violence in armed conflicts globally and called for consistency in South Africa’s response to such violence.
The key findings of the survey included that 40% of respondents believed reports of Hamas’ rapes and killings in Israel to be Israeli or Western propaganda. However, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict confirmed these reports after conducting a fact-finding mission in Israel. The survey also found that 73% of respondents believe rape is never justifiable, while 25% think it can be justified in wartime.
The survey highlighted the need for education, dialogue, and accountability measures to combat rape and sexual violence in conflicts. It called on political parties, the government, civil society, and human/women’s rights organizations to condemn rape and sexual violence wherever it occurs. Wacsa emphasized the importance of speaking out against all forms of violence against innocents and urged the South African government to prosecute Hamas militants for war crimes.
The survey revealed unsettling attitudes towards rape and sexual violence in conflict, with 70% of respondents supporting the prosecution of Hamas militants at the International Criminal Court. Wacsa stressed that failing to condemn Hamas’ atrocities and blaming victims could condone the use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war.
The survey also delved into respondents’ awareness of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with 56% admitting they had not heard of Hamas and 62% unaware of Hamas’ attack on Israel. Despite this, 79% considered the attack an unjustified act of terror when presented with information.
Wacsa’s campaign aimed to raise awareness about the use of sexual violence as a weapon in conflicts, citing examples from various regions, including Ukraine, where thousands of women were reported to have been raped by soldiers. The group called for acknowledgment from the South African government to apply the same pressure on Hamas as it did on Israel in response to sexual violence.
The survey faced challenges in generating public discourse due to the sensitivity and divisiveness of the issue. However, Wacsa emphasized the need for all organizations and individuals to speak out against sexual violence and ensure accountability and justice for victims and survivors. The group highlighted the importance of condemning all forms of violence against innocents and called for measures to protect all individuals from such horrific acts, irrespective of gender, race, religion, or politics.
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