Parliamentary Research Unit2025-04-042025-04-042024-11-22https://archive.parliament.gov.za/handle/123456789/3976Gender-based violence (GBV) among children and youth in South Africa is a significant and alarming issue, with serious social, psychological, and physical consequences. It affects both boys and girls, though it manifests differently for each gender. GBV in the context of South African provinces has been deeply intertwined with historical, socio-economic, and cultural factors that continue to influence the country’s youth. Apartheid left a legacy of economic inequality, fractured communities, and entrenched violence, all of which continue to affect the experiences of youth today. Many children grow up in environments marked by high levels of domestic and community violence. High levels of poverty, unemployment, and lack of education create conditions where children and youth are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including sexual and physical violence. Deep-seated gender norms and patriarchal attitudes often normalize GBV. This includes rigid gender roles where males may feel entitled to control, dominate, or abuse females, while also stigmatizing victims of violence and discouraging them from reporting incidents.