Women in South Africa are reported to be paying both financial and emotional costs to protect themselves from gender-based violence, including spending on personal safety measures and training. The article highlights practical steps such as panic buttons and self-defence classes, alongside efforts to improve safety during daily travel.
The coverage frames these expenditures as an additional burden that falls on women rather than addressing the underlying risk. It focuses on how concerns about safety shape everyday decisions and can create ongoing stress. The piece also points to safer-transport initiatives as part of a broader effort to reduce vulnerability in public and commuting spaces. Overall, it presents protection and prevention measures as necessary responses that can still carry long-term costs for those who use them.
While details vary by outlet in broader reporting on the same topic, the shared theme is that self-protection tools and safer transport can involve direct spending and persistent emotional strain. The reporting emphasizes that these “hidden” costs are linked to the continued prevalence of gender-based violence, making personal safety planning a routine requirement for many women.
