The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) joins the family and the rest of South Africa in relief as Amy-Lee De Jager was returned to her family on Tuesday, 3 September 2019. However, the Commission joins the rest of South Africa in mourning the untimely and violent end to Uyinene Mrwetyana’s life.

Tragically, the violence inflicted on both of them is among the countless number of other women and girls who are victims of gender based violence, yet remain unnamed.

Violence specifically directed against women and girls are violations of numerous rights such as the right to human dignity, equality on the basis of gender as well as sex, freedom and security of the person and numerous other rights which are directly and indirectly violated. The Commission recognises that for South Africa is an equal society, we, as a nation, need to urgently address the disproportional amount of gender-based violence and all other forms of intolerance and discrimination against women and girls. 

The SAHRC reaffirms its solidarity with women and girls and its commitment to the struggle for substantive gender equality and the attainment of human rights for all including women and girls.

The Commission has and will continue to call on all facets of society to urgently bring the tide of violence against women and children to an immediate end. The Commission further calls on the relevant authorities to ensure that we provide greater safety for women and girls everywhere, in our homes, places of work and other public spaces. This will contribute to a healthy and meaningfully safe society and a better life for all.

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Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Alucia Sekgathume Tel: 082 689 2364 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.