As eThekwini Municipality and others raise awareness of domestic violence, South Africans and our municipalities need to confront their own role in alcohol licensing, advertising and the controls that sit within their power.

Research going back to 2013 has established a direct link between alcohol and domestic violence, gender-based violence, abuse and sexual risk — in South Africa and internationally.

What we are calling for

We call on civil society, political parties, councillors and communities to focus on alcohol legislation at both national and local government level.

The violations are flagrant at every level — from local matters such as proximity to schools and places of worship, trading hours and sales to children, through to national questions of lobbying, healthcare, protections and taxation.

Unless we address this urgently we are failing our young people, who face a barrage of messaging and advertising pushing addictive behaviours — alcohol and gambling — usually attached to sport and presented as aspirational.

SAMNET calls for a national dialogue, supporting civil society, faith-based organisations and political organisations to address alcohol legislation and regulation. Email your comments to info@samnet.co.za.

The evidence

• Let’s have an honest conversation about the link between booze and GBV — DG Murray Trust, 2023. It notes that the rate at which women are killed by intimate partners in South Africa is five times the global average.
• Gender-based violence, alcohol use and sexual risk among female patrons of drinking venues in Cape Town — published research, 2013.
• Regulating alcohol will protect South Africa’s women and children from gender-based violence — Sonke Gender Justice, 2023.
• Clear link between alcohol abuse and gender-based violence, evidence review finds — SA Medical Research Council, 2021.
• SA has a serious gender violence problem, and alcohol is the main culprit — News24, 2020.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, the GBV Command Centre can be reached on 0800 428 428, and Lifeline South Africa on 0861 322 322.

Related

Why and How to Complain About Alcohol Advertising · South Africa’s Growing Gambling Problem

Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of proactively addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and addictive behaviour, and building a better society for future generations.