Politician · concept

Julius Malema on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Calls for end to abuse (strong)

TL;DR

Julius Malema strongly condemns Gender-Based Violence and calls for united action, especially from men, to stop the abuse.

Key Points

He called for an end to the war on women, stating that South Africa has become the capital of rape in the world as of September 2022.
He issued an apology for using spousal abuse slurs in a parliamentary exchange, regretting the personal defence that degenerated into politicising a critical national issue (February 2020).
The EFF, under his leadership, stated its desire for tougher laws to end GBV and address the struggles faced by women in August 2021.

Summary

Julius Malema has consistently amplified calls for an end to gender-based violence (GBV), framing the violence against women as a national crisis that must stop immediately. He has urged collective action, specifically calling on men to stand up against the abuse, respect women, and treat them as their monarch treats a queen, suggesting that this fundamental change in behaviour would alleviate the crisis. He has also positioned his party, the EFF, as a body to which victims can report rape and GBV, indicating institutional support for addressing these crimes.

His stance has involved a mix of public condemnation and personal contrition regarding the politicisation of GBV. Following a parliamentary exchange where allegations of spousal abuse were thrown, he later apologised for indulging in the degeneration of using personal abuse allegations in political debate, especially given the seriousness of the national GBV crisis. The party has also previously committed to advocating for tougher laws to combat GBV and the struggles faced by women in South Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Julius Malema's core position on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?

Julius Malema's core position is one of strong condemnation, viewing GBV as a national crisis that requires an immediate end. He frequently amplifies calls for action against the abuse of women and rape. He urges society, particularly men, to change their behaviour towards women to stop the violence.

Has Julius Malema apologized regarding issues related to gender-based violence allegations?

Yes, Julius Malema has publicly apologized for using personal allegations of spousal abuse in a parliamentary debate in February 2020. He expressed regret for indulging in the degeneration of politicizing GBV and offered a sincere apology to the affected families and all victims of gender-based violence.

What action does Julius Malema suggest is needed to stop GBV?

He suggests that collective action is necessary, specifically calling for men to stand up against the abuse. He also stated that if men respected and loved women, there would be no crisis of gender-based violence, implying a need for fundamental behavioural change.