Mitigating gender violence: The role of the hospitality industry in empowering rural women employed in hospitality

Abstract

This article documents the abuse endured by women in rural areas. It sets out the statistics regarding gender based violence in South Africa. South African customary laws and culture that render women almost helpless to escape their fate are set out as well. Both customary law and national legislation are applicable in South Africa. Despite some of the provisions of customary law being discriminatory and consequently falling foul of the equality clause in the Constitution, customary law is still adhered to in the rural areas of South Africa. The fundamental rights contained in the Constitution applicable to the protection of women are described hereunder. The article explains the provisions of domestic and international laws that seek to promote equality and dignity for women and to protect women from physical and other forms of abuse. A brief discussion of international instruments and international laws designed to protect and promote women’s rights demonstrates that South African legislation as described in the article is in line with international law. Despite the progressive nature of these laws, many factors render the laws incapable of achieving their stated goals. The reasons for such failure are multifaceted and together contribute to the dire plight of women in South Africa especially those in rural areas. The article analyses and explains theses reasons and surrounding socio-economic circumstances in detail. This is necessary so that creative and effective solutions can be put in place to temper and reduce the effect of these factors that contribute to rendering laws helpless in protecting and advancing women’s rights. Finally, given the fact that the law alone cannot adequately address the abuse of women, some suggestions are put forward regarding how the hospitality industry can contribute to mitigating the severe abuse women suffer at the hands of their spouses or partners and in the workplace and empower them.