On October 9, the dead bodies of six women, who earned an income as sex workers, were discovered tied up in Johannesburg, some of them in advanced state of decomposition. This was unfortunately not a one off. Women face violence and fear murder daily in South Africa, and sex workers face increased risks, not least because their work is still criminalized despite decades of advocacy by rights groups.
The second Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBFV) this week in South Africa presents an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges in tackling widespread GBVF in the country.