Understanding Gender-Based Violence Prevention among Young Women : Youth Workers Perspective?

Abstract

This study focused on the expertise of youth workers in preventing violent acts with special focus on young women. A qualitative research approach was employed in this study. Ten youth workers were purposefully sampled to participate in this study. An unstructured interview schedule was also used to gather data. An exploratory research design was used to explore the experience of the participants. Data were analysed using thematic coding. Violence against young women in South Africa is a widespread problem that affect young women’s capabilities. South Africa is also facing a high prevalence of gang rape and young women are the most affected group. The findings reflect that youth workers prevent violence against young women by offering young people, both male and female, the following interventions: building youth self-esteem, health education and empowerment, soft skills programmes and building youth resilience. The study recommends that the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities establish a funding directorate that will focus on funding youth workers led non-profit organisations (NPOs) that have holistic youth programmes that mainly address violence against young women and social behaviour change programmes among young men.