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Improving framework conditions to prevent violence in South Africa

The Inclusive Violence and Crime Prevention (VCP) Programme

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  • Client

    German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

  • Co-financier

    Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

  • Country
  • Political sponsors

    More

  • Runtime

    2012 to 2024

  • Products and expertise

    Security, reconstruction and peace

Context

Quality of life and participation in public life demand freedom from any form of violence. However, in South Africa, interpersonal violence hinders the country’s development. This issue largely arises from the deep inequality caused by the social and spatial segregation of society during apartheid.

Due to factors such as experiencing violence in childhood, drug abuse, and unemployment, young people are particularly at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of violence. Additionally, South Africa faces extremely high rates of gender-based violence, driven primarily by patriarchal gender norms. Consequently, the femicide rate in the country is more than five times higher than the global average.

Objective

The framework conditions for implementing national strategies to prevent gender-based and other forms of violence have improved.

Approach

The project aims to create a safer South Africa by using comprehensive approaches to address the root causes of violence and crime. It involves a variety of stakeholders and the broader community to improve the implementation of prevention policies locally.

To achieve this, the project focuses on four main areas that work together to prevent violence:

  1. Empowering children and youth to become changemakers in promoting safety and resilience.
  2. Enhancing the skills of key local actors, including municipalities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and faith leaders.
  3. Supporting evidence-informed implementation and funding strategies for national safety policies.
  4. Creating and sharing knowledge and evidence to prevent violence effectively.

Last update: November 2024                                            

Additional information