In a speech that sought to mark a clear break with a decade of misrule under his predecessor, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urges men to unite against rape and sexual assault in the country, deeming it a “national crisis”. On an annual average, 40,000 rapes are reported each year in South Africa. He acknowledges the steps that the nation and its leaders have already made in order to combat gender-based violence but still feels that more should be done to end this crisis or at least fight it to the point where all South African women and girls “may live in peace, safety, and dignity.” He explored multiple ideas and strategies that could be used to achieve such goals such as: “harsher sentences for perpetrators and better skilled police and prosecution authorities to improve the capacity to investigate and prosecute ALL crimes.” He also emphasizes the importance of teaching gender equality to children at a young age as well as the condemning of violence so that these kids will grow up more understanding of the current issues facing women and girls of all ages in South Africa.
