The stats are scary: 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime in South Africa. But what can be done about this?

Live Mag SA spent the 16 days between November 25 and December 10th, officially known as 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, grappling with issues around Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to find out from the youth of South Africa, what they think should be done.

Under the banner of the UN Women initiative, HeForShe, we got a perspective from a young father on why it is important for men to support the campaign which is calling for equality.

We spoke to a counsellor to find out more about GBV and what can be done when someone needs to get help or help someone who might be in an abusive relationship.

But we did not leave it there.

We polled young people in the streets and via social media and the majority (87%)  did not think we can end GBV in their lifetime; about 91% of them said they had heard of the #16days campaign; about 95 % of them said wearing provocative clothing does not mean the woman is asking for it and 88 % when a man beats a woman because he is jealous, that counts as GBV.

So our young people are informed and while it is disheartening that they think GBV will not end in their lifetime, on an important day like today – World Human Rights Day, this should act as encouragement to continue the campaign for 365 days a year.