Femicide has never been trendier than it is right now in South Africa. Thats not to say women were never assaulted because theyre women, but more incidents have come to the fold and we want our insecurities to be taken seriously. This article aims to discuss violence against women and its contributors, as well as how our mind-set may contribute to rape culture.

What is it about the female figure that has so many people in a frenzy? I would call this behaviour the toxic sexualisation of the female figure. On the one hand you have women being raped and murdered and on the other women of all ages including teens uploading inappropriate pictures and videos. Why is that #Natasha or #Sesethu create so much hype to an extent that when our cries concerning sexual abuse fall on deaf ears?

Sexuality does not just define gender or ones physical encounter with another. Studies suggest that sexualisation takes place when a persons appeal is of more value than their behaviour. This is evident in receiving 100+ likes or views on social media and being a victim of anothers impulsive behaviour. The person is then considered to be a sexual object, rather than a person who can make their own decisions as a result sexuality is often inappropriately imposed. More people are speaking out on the issue, likewise government is also taking the opportunity to share responsibility.

We all know no matter the circumstances around an incident, no one should force themselves on another.

Now for the tricky part - how do we go about eliminating sexual violence when society itself is counterproductive? Counterproductive would entail being afraid to speak against violent sexual acts or condoning their behaviour because women these days wear next to nothing.

Addressing rape is not just having a legal system in place to deal with the perpetrator and the victim rising above it or attending defence classes. Rape culture is real and it is definitely causing an impact on society, it has become a part of our construct, that we cannot even see that we promote it at times. This goes beyond clich of asking for it because you dress a certain way or youre playing hard to get. It is also in the satisfaction we get from receiving over 100 likes or one comments on how that outfit compliments our figure etc. Although the compliments might be genuine, you can never be too sure or we would not have girls and women uploading inappropriate pictures and videos to remain relevant. These at times prompt the #NotAllMenAreTrash sentiments.

The crux of the issue is not just the normalised mentality regarding rape, but our social construct which has been a disservice to us all. It is entrenched in our being our birth right. Females from a very young age are taught to be dutiful, being domesticated, dressing a certain way and tolerate mans ego. When we dare to be different, be it our dress sense or sexual orientation, we are seen as prey something that needs to be put in line. The male upbringing is somewhat different, their physical superiority is engraved in their minds and their care-free and adventurous nature is often condoned. This disservice is evident in the little things like a girl being reprimanded and often blamed when she dirties her clothes, but a boy does not get so much backlash. This is not only entrenched in how boys and girls conduct themselves and are dealt with, this is also translated in the blurred lines that permeate in normalising sexualisation by the music we often jam to, graphics in magazines etc.

Rape should not just be addressed in an institutional manner, but culturally as well. We should be taught co-existence, cooperation, and respect as well as knowing that our consequences have actions. Not the kind of consequence that if your dress is too short - then its your doing, but if your happiness infringes on anothers, then harmony cannot exist. If we cant change our mentality and think progressively regarding gender then we are #AllTrash.

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Addressing rape culture - News24