Exploring psychosocial impact of gender-based violence among silenced and marginalized women in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most severe social challenges confronting South African society. The purpose of the study was to explore the psychosocial impact of gender-based violence among silenced and marginalised women in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study opted for the exploratory qualitative research design approach with a total of 15 purposively sampled participants who are women in the 19-35 years age cohort selected to provide their lived experiences concerning gender-based violence in the Vhembe district. Semi-structured interviews were utilised as the study’s primary data collection method. The primary study findings revealed that victims of gender-based violence suffered from the immense psychological and social effects of their experiences. These effects included levels of depression, isolation, stigmatisation, and suicidal ideations. Among some of its recommendations, the study proposes protracted interventions by multiple stakeholders to address gender-based violence, especially in rural communities that are still fraught with increasing patriarchal values and norms that reinforce gender attitudes and unequal power relations.