Mashatile calls for urgent action on gender-based violence [SOUND]

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has called for urgent action to combat gender-based violence. Speaking in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, he cited a Human Sciences Research Council study highlighting the impact on women’s access to justice. He stresses the link between gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS, and welcomes progress in high conviction rates of perpetrators. Mashatile mentions that challenges like DNA testing backlogs and support services remain key concerns: