South African Women Are Taking an Interest In Self-Defense and Guns

 

More South African  women are getting involved in self-defense and taking an interest in guns. This is a response to the concerns about gender based violence. South Africa has some of the highest femicide rates in the world based on U.N. Women agency data. According to South African data an estimated 35% of women experience sexual or physical violence from their romantic partners. There are a few explanations for this. The violence is partly the legacy of the Apartheid regime. Before the establishment of a democratic system, the government revolved around force and oppression. Violence can spread into all aspects of life. South Africa's inability to improve the economic conditions, caused an increase in crime. Having strict gender roles and rigid ideas about family values encourages physical harm to women. South African women might see violent behavior from men as normal. There is a need for change in attitudes and culture. Learning self-defense is a solution for women's personal security. Getting involved with gun use becomes complicated. More guns could result in higher amounts of crime. Private security services have engaged in abuses. Women arming themselves to such a degree could encourage vigilantism or more murder. Law enforcement should be more responsive to women's concerns about safety. The failure of police to reduce violence against women proves institutional ineffectiveness. South African women responded to this with taking up shooting and self-defense.