Women in South Africa describe how fear changes their lives — Daily Maverick
In South Africa, an investigation is ongoing into the murders of at least nine women in Ekurhuleni in recent months. Against the backdrop of these crimes, readers of Daily Maverick said they constantly change their everyday habits because they fear for their safety.
One participant noted that even during a four-minute daytime walk to work, she closely watches what is happening around her and mentally models possible dangerous situations. Another reader said she tries to go out alone as rarely as possible and tells her loved ones in advance where she is going and how long she plans to be there.
Restrictions in everyday activities
The women said they avoid nighttime walks, running alone and visiting unfamiliar places without company. Some of them remove jewelry before going out, do not use headphones on the street, hide route data in fitness apps and share their geolocation with relatives.
Claire Shortt recalled that she previously ran only in groups or in areas she considered safe. She left her phone in the car, did not wear headphones and held keys between her fingers to be prepared for self-defense. According to her, after moving to the United Kingdom, she also continues to avoid dangerous areas and pays attention to men nearby.
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Other participants said that because of fear, they stopped pulling over to help people on the road or giving rides to hitchhikers. One reader noted that she locks her car doors and does not roll down the windows, although she previously helped those who asked for it.
Calls to authorities and society
Some respondents criticized advice that comes down to women moving around in groups, not going on dates with strangers or not using Uber alone. Mantoa Chokoe said such recommendations effectively force women to narrow their own lives in order to survive.
Debbie Wall-Smith, who said she had previously been a victim of a robbery near the Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town, called on municipalities, provincial authorities and South African police to increase street patrols. In her view, a visible patrol presence could help reduce crime.
The participants also called on men to respond to harassment, intrusive staring and other antisocial behavior. They stressed that constant vigilance in ordinary situations has become an almost automatic but exhausting part of life for many.
