A Human Rights Perspective on Gender-Based Violence in South Africa: The Translation of Global Human Rights Norms into the South African Domestic Context: The Translation of Global Human Rights Norms into the South African Domestic Context
Author
Mikkelsen, Christina Binderup
Term
4. term
Publication year
2022
Abstract
This case study examines gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa through a human rights lens. It asks why translating international human rights norms into the South African context has not produced significant change. The Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) is used as the reference for international norms on GBV, while documents from civil society websites present the local context. The study uses a deductive qualitative content analysis—systematic reading guided by predefined concepts—together with two frameworks: norm translation (how global commitments are turned into local laws, policies, and practice) and multilevel governance (how responsibilities are shared across different levels of government and between state and civil society). The analysis has two parts. First, it examines what the BPfA says about GBV and how these norms were negotiated and agreed internationally. Second, drawing on civil society documents, it analyzes existing norms in South Africa, the resistance to adopting international GBV norms, and how the state response is organized. It finds that toxic masculinity—norms of male dominance, control over women, and entitlement to women’s bodies—rooted in colonial and apartheid histories, fuels resistance. Using a multilevel governance perspective, it also identifies problems with accountability, inclusion, transparency, and cross-sector cooperation, and considers what this means for civil society’s role. The study concludes that South Africa has translated international norms into discourse and progressive legislation, but not into implementation. This implementation gap—shaped by enduring gender norms and governance shortcomings—helps explain why GBV rates have not improved significantly.
Dette casestudie undersøger kønsbaseret vold (GBV) i Sydafrika gennem et menneskerettighedsperspektiv. Det spørger, hvorfor oversættelsen af internationale menneskerettighedsnormer til den sydafrikanske kontekst ikke har skabt mærkbare forbedringer. Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) bruges som reference for internationale normer om GBV, mens dokumenter fra civilsamfundets hjemmesider præsenterer den lokale kontekst. Studiet anvender en deduktiv kvalitativ indholdsanalyse—en systematisk læsning styret af på forhånd definerede begreber—sammen med to rammer: normoversættelse (hvordan globale forpligtelser bliver til lokale love, politikker og praksis) og flerniveau-styring (hvordan ansvar fordeles på tværs af niveauer i staten og mellem stat og civilsamfund). Analysen har to dele. Først undersøges, hvad BPfA siger om GBV, og hvordan disse normer blev forhandlet og vedtaget internationalt. Dernæst, med udgangspunkt i civilsamfundsdokumenter, analyseres de eksisterende normer i Sydafrika, modstanden mod at optage internationale GBV-normer, og hvordan statens svar er indrettet. Analysen viser, at giftig maskulinitet—normer om mandligt herredømme, kontrol over kvinder og retten til kvinders kroppe—med rødder i kolonitiden og apartheid, skaber modstand. Set gennem en flerniveau-styringslinse identificeres også problemer med ansvarlighed, inklusion, gennemsigtighed og samarbejde på tværs af sektorer, og hvad dette betyder for civilsamfundets rolle. Studiet konkluderer, at Sydafrika har oversat internationale normer til både diskurs og progressiv lovgivning, men ikke til implementering. Dette implementeringsgab—formet af sejlivede kønsnormer og styringsproblemer—er med til at forklare, hvorfor GBV-tallene ikke er forbedret væsentligt.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]