Many social issues have come under the spotlight as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, and domestic violence is one that continues to impact thousands of South Africans who are confined to their homes.

The spike in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) since the start of the lockdown has sent shockwaves across the country. In the first week alone, the South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded 2300 complaints of GBV. However, many remain unreported.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has coem out and condemned a “surge in murders of women and children”, after the body of a young woman was found dumped under a tree in Dobsonville, Soweto, on Friday.

Since the country entered alert Level 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown on 1 June, there has been a surge in gender-based violence and femicide, the president said in a statement on Saturday.“According to the SAPS there has been an increase in violent crime, especially murders, since we entered alert level 3. We need to understand what factors are fuelling this terrible trend and, as society as a whole, address them urgently,” the president said.

In the last week a number of women have lost their lives and South Africa is demanding #justiceforTshegofastoPule #JusticeForSanelisiwe #JusticeForNaledi #JusticeForSibongiseniGabada #JusticeForAltecia. These are just some of the women who have fallen victim to violence against women.

Simz Ngema took time to share the hand signal for domestic abuse. It can help a person silently show they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way.