Gender-Based Violence During and Post-Apartheid: Rewriting a Gendered History in War Zones

Claudia Zucca 
Professor of English in International Relations and Primary Education, University of Cagliari, Italy.

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Abstract

This article investigates gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa during the Apartheid era, examining how intrastate conflict and the restrictive policies of the Apartheid regime contributed to its prevalence. Utilizing newly accessed archival sources, the study situates GBV within the broader geopolitical context of the Cold War and explores the involvement of other African states in domestic political movements. Applying a critical gendered framework, the study engages with existing literature, empirical data, and statistical evidence to explore the structural and systemic nature of gender-based violence and its enduring legacies in post-Apartheid South Africa. Central to this inquiry are the lived experiences of women, documented through personal testimonies and narratives that reveal the extent and nature of gendered violations under the Apartheid regime. Furthermore, the article critically evaluates the role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in addressing GBV, questioning the extent to which gender-sensitive approaches were integrated into its mandate. By centering women’s voices and embodied experiences, this study seeks to recover a gendered history in war zones in South Africa, challenging dominant narratives and contributing to the ongoing project of historical redress and gender justice. 

Keywords: Gender-based violence, Apartheid, South African History, Politics, the African National Congress, Intrastate Warfare, Cold War, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Human rights, United Nations.