"I feel scared of being a girl": Adolescent girls' conversations about heteropatriarchal sexual violence in South African townships. Issue 134 (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ngidi, Ndumiso Daluxolo
• Is Part Of: Geoforum. Issue 134(2022)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Adolescent girls -- Group conversations -- Heteropatriarchal sexual violence -- Rape culture -- Townships; Geography -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Périodiques; Géographie -- Périodiques; Géographie humaine -- Périodiques; Aménagement du territoire -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geography; Human geography; Regional planning; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 304.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2022.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7185

Abstract

Highlights: Heteropatriarchal sexual violence against adolescent girls is a significant issue in South African townships. Townships are conducive geographies for gendered violence. Heteropatriarchal sexual violence removes adolescent girls' spatial and bodily autonomy. Heteropatriarchal sexual violence is normalized and routine. Talking back helped to honor girls' dignity. Abstract: This paper examines the perspectives of black African adolescent girls about heteropatriarchal sexual violence in their resource-poor townships in South Africa. The study was set in a social geographic area that is burdened by chronic poverty, high levels of crime, and heteropatriarchal violence. Rape culture – the pervasive norms and ideologies that effectively support or excuse heterosexual violence – framed the study, and qualitative group conversations were used to generate data. Findings point to a culture of heteropatriarchal sexual violence used by men to dominate and control girls' freedom and behavior across township spaces. Adolescent girls faced widespread violence that was a systematic and overlapping feature of their neighborhoods and households. While girls employed several strategies to insulate themselves from violence, they did so in a context in which gender ideologies worked against them. In talking back to their victimization, girls conjured notions of stolen dignity, lost humanity, and diminished existence.