Human Sciences Research Council HSRC Strategic Leader, Dr. Nompumelelo Zungu, says women are the most vulnerable in society as they are financially dependent on their partners and this makes it difficult for survivors of gender-based violence GBV to leave an abusive relationship.
Her statement follows the councils release of results of the first South African National Prevalence Study on GBV in Pretoria yesterday.
The results show that over seven million women in the country have experienced physical and emotional violence in their live s.
Zungu says women living with disability are facing an even greater challenge.
She says, "For a lifetime this report shows that all forms of abuse is very high for women living with disabilities.
