South Africa’s violent crime crisis is changing the way many women think about safety, survival and self-defence. From kidnappings and home invasions to gender-based violence and violent robberies, fear has become part of daily life for many South Africans — and increasingly, women are deciding they do not want to feel helpless anymore. For some, that means learning self-defence. For others, it means firearm training and legal gun ownership. Tonight we explore the growing number of women
taking an active role in their own protection, and the difficult questions that come with it. Is firearm
ownership becoming a form of empowerment for women in a country battling extreme violence? Or
does putting more guns into civilian hands create even greater risks? We’ll also speak to GOSA Girls on Fire, a women’s empowerment initiative focused on turning victims into victors through practical skills, situational awareness and confidence-building. In a country where many women feel unsafe almost everywhere they go, what does true empowerment actually look like?