Podcast: The cruel side of motherhood in SA

Sexual violence and rape is a reality that won't disappear in Mzansi anytime soon. But it's imperative that young mothers who fall pregnant through the cruellest circumstances are offered the necessary support to make a life for themselves and their babies

Motherhood is a wonderful journey, however, sometimes women are introduced to motherhood by unfavourable and unjust means. This can sometimes be because of sexual violence or a sibling that has been thrust into the responsibility of taking the motherhood role for her younger siblings due to unfortunate circumstances.

In this episode, Ronel Koekemoer, counselling coordinator at Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust who has worked with survivors of sexual violence for over six years, shares her insights on this topic.

Koekemoer reflects on the most current quarterly crime stats which reports that 5 935 people were victims of rape between October and December 2022. She, however, explains that the actual stats can fail to be a true reflection of the current reality, as not all victims report their cases or speak up.

Feelings of despair and depression

Motherhood is a life-altering event, even at the best of times, so being introduced to it because of sexual violence can intensify feelings of despair, anger and depression. Koekemoer further explains that mothers that fall under lower earning income brackets are intensely exposed to these emotions as the inability to care for the child financially is exposed, leaving the mother feeling hopeless and incompetent in a world that praises the picture and narrative of the perfect mother.

However, with all that has been said, the picture is not entirely dim. There are cases where victims cultivate healthy and strong relationships with the child, as motherhood is not only presented by the birth of a child but can also be the birth of a new life and new time for the mother.

In the podcast, Koekemoer also discusses:

That civil society needs to hold the government accountable for reproductive justice;
That every mother has access to services such as safe labour practices, support in early childhood development; and
Support for the mother.