Gender-based violence (GBV) casts a long shadow over society. It is a human rights violation with far-reaching consequences, transcending gender lines and socioeconomic boundaries. It is also a global epidemic that is particularly rampant in South Africa, where rural areas bear a disproportionate burden.

While typically associated with interpersonal relationships, the reach of GBV extends far beyond homes and workplaces, penetrating deeply into industries like agriculture. Its economic toll is staggering, with losses in productivity and GDP equivalent to significant national expenditures.

In a 2014 report titled ‘Too costly to ignore – the economic impact of gender-based violence in South Africa’, professional services firm KPMG delved into how GBV affects South Africa in other economic and developmental ways.

“Based on prevalence rates of between 20% and 30% of women experiencing gender-based violence within a given year, this study estimates that the economic impact of that violence is between at least R28,4 billion and R42,4 billion for the year 2012/13, representing 0,9% and 1,3% of GDP, respectively,” the report says.

Systemic inequalities

It is no coincidence that there is a correlation between GBV and agriculture; it stems from systemic inequalities, posing grave threats to productivity, sustainability and overall well-being within the sector. Women farmers and farmworkers in Africa face a multitude of challenges, with violence being among the most severe.

Beyond the immediate physical and mental toll that GBV takes on these women, it also hampers their ability to work and provide for their families, perpetuating cycles of poverty and suffering.

Effects on physical and mental health

Siobhan Shaw is the co-founder and chairperson of the board of directors at Growing To Give, a US non-profit organisation that develops projects and partnerships to free people from hunger around the world.

In a LinkedIn article, she shared her thoughts about women farmers in rural Africa: “Women in agriculture in Africa are often faced with a wide range of challenges that limit their productivity. Violence is the worst of all. Women farmers face physical and sexual violence, which not only affects their physical and mental health but also their ability to work. Can you imagine having to get up in the morning after a rape or beating and go out into the field to harvest food? Food that keeps your children from starving?”

A call to action

In collaboration with various other programmes and companies, Primestars, a youth social services organisation based in Johannesburg, has pioneered ‘What About the Boys?’, a groundbreaking GBV-prevention programme.

By fostering positive masculinity and challenging harmful stereotypes, it equips young men with the tools to combat violence and inequality.

Martin Sweet, founder and managing director of Primestars, says the programme was designed to help boys redefine masculinity by teaching them to share their emotions in healthy ways, accept and connect with others, manage their emotional triggers, stand up and speak out against bullying and inequality, and break free from rigid stereotypes.

It includes the film What about the Boys? directed by Rolie Nikiwe, which depicts how a group of high-school pupils confront challenges like poverty and domestic abuse in their communities.

The movie is being screened to the youth across the nation, including those in rural areas.

To kick off the 2024 edition of the programme, Primestars, the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA), Sasol, the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund, and some 200 high-school boys gathered at a Johannesburg cinema in April to watch the film.

Various representatives of Primestars, CHIETA, LoveLife, Sasol and the GBVF Response Fund addressed the audience before the viewing.

Gao Mothoagae, vice-president of Sasol’s corporate social investment and the Sasol Foundation, was one of the speakers. Prior to her current role, she was the executive manager of Coca-Cola’s Mintirho Foundation, an agricultural fund that supports historically disadvantaged farmers.

“South Africa has the distinction of being the most dangerous place for young women. It is a human issue that requires all of us to stand up and act,” she said.

Empowering through education

Vital to the programme’s success has been the qualitative and quantitative data gathered before and after the programme’s implementation.

Before going through the programme, 16% of boys surveyed agreed with the statement that ‘There are times when a woman deserves to be beaten’; and 30% agreed that ‘It is okay for a man to hit his girlfriend or wife if she won’t have sex with him’. A worrying 74% agreed with the statement ‘A man can have sex with his wife whenever he wants’.

Post-programme assessments with the same learners showed that these percentages had dropped dramatically. By empowering boys to reject outdated ideals of aggression and dominance, programmes like ‘What About the Boys?’ pave the way for a safer and more inclusive future.

Since its inception in 2022, the programme has reached over 40 000 high-school students, offering them relatable storytelling, mentorship and educational resources. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of GBV while fostering empathy and understanding.

“We have implemented the programme in rural communities, such as Thohoyandou [in Limpopo], and are looking to expand further,” says Nandika Beukes, communications manager at Primestars. “We go wherever there is a GBV hotspot or where our partners ask us to go.

“There are plans to expand the programme’s footprint in all nine provinces, especially with regard to the in-school and mentorship aspect, but of course that is determined by funding,” she adds.

A call to leadership

The agriculture sector must confront its historical gender disparities, which create fertile ground for abuse and exploitation.

Addressing these issues is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one, essential for long-term sustainability and profitability. By prioritising workplace safety and equality, businesses can enhance both their productivity and their resilience.

Agricultural enterprises must take proactive steps to combat GBV, from implementing robust policies to leveraging their influence for broader social change.

By championing gender equality, these enterprises can pave the way for a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.

Sources: Khumalo, B, Msimang, S, and Bollbach, K (2014). ‘Too costly to ignore – the economic impact of gender-based violence in South Africa’. Johannesburg. KPMG Human and Social Services; Shaw, S (2023). ‘Gender-Based Violence in Agriculture’; ‘enGENDER IMPACT: Addressing Gender-Based Violence’. World Bank Group.