Preventing Gender-Based Violence in Musina Transit Camps: Strategies for Female Migrants

The Risk Landscape in Musina

Musina, a small town at South Africa’s northern border, serves as a critical transit point for migrants from Zimbabwe, the DRC, and other SADC countries. While the town promises refuge, it exposes women and girls to high risks of gender-based violence (GBV). Overcrowded informal shelters, bush settlements, and church-run facilities often lack privacy and protection.

For example, the Matsaung Women’s Shelter, supported by UNHCR, provides emergency accommodation for survivors. Yet, women often arrive traumatized, silent, and withdrawn after violence en route. Research shows GBV prevalence among refugee women can exceed 50%, and in some contexts reach 80%. (bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)

These statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and safe spaces tailored to the realities of female migrants in Musina.

Policy and Institutional Landscape

National Legislation

South Africa has strong GBV laws, including the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offences Act, and the GBVF National Strategic Plan. In principle, these protections extend to migrants and asylum seekers. However, enforcement gaps and documentation barriers limit effectiveness for non-citizens.

Refugee and Asylum Systems

UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office (MCO) has implemented GBV prevention strategies, emphasizing safe spaces, case management, and community engagement. (reporting.unhcr.org)

Civil Society and NGO Programs

Local NGOs, such as Sonke Gender Justice, run campaigns like One Man Can, which engage men and boys to shift harmful gender norms. Faith-based organizations and NGOs provide temporary shelter and psychosocial support, yet capacity remains limited. (global.comminit.com)

Gaps and Challenges

Despite these initiatives, significant gaps persist:

Under-resourced shelters: Facilities like Matsaung accommodate fewer than 150 women and children. (unhcr.org)
Fear of reporting: Many women avoid authorities due to undocumented status. (ajops.org)
Language barriers: Few service providers speak Lingala, Shona, or French. (msf.org.za)
Limited mental health support: Psychosocial care is fragmented and underfunded. (southafrica.iom.int)
Sustainability issues: Many programs operate only temporarily, reducing long-term impact.
Coordination gaps: Agencies often work in silos, limiting comprehensive protection.

Empirical Insights from Musina

Vulnerability Patterns

Assessments by MSF and IOM show women in Musina face high exposure to physical assault, rape, and exploitation. (southafrica.iom.int) Temporary gathering points, such as the Musina Showgrounds and taxi ranks, expose women further. UNHCR reported 37 GBV community engagement sessions in South Africa in 2023, reaching over 1,400 refugees and asylum seekers. (reporting.unhcr.org)

Intersectional Vulnerabilities

Female migrants’ risk is influenced by multiple factors:

Nationality and documentation: Undocumented women fear seeking help.
Age: Women aged 15–24 face higher GBV risk. (bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)
Language and culture: Lack of translation reduces access.
Economic dependence: Survival through informal work increases exploitation.
Pre-migration trauma: Past violence complicates psychosocial needs.
Systemic discrimination: Xenophobia discourages help-seeking. (msf.org.za)

Real-World Examples (Anonymized)

“A” (Zimbabwe, 22): Assaulted en route to Musina, avoided police due to lack of documentation, accessed Matsaung shelter but left after a week because services lacked her language.
“B” (DRC, 30): Lives in a shared shack, abused by partner, limited support due to Lingala language barrier.
“C” (Zimbabwe, 18): Unaccompanied minor, exploited in workplace, mistrustful of institutions, sporadic NGO engagement.

Evidence-Based and Innovative Strategies

Community Mobilization

One Man Can & SASA! Together: Engage men and boys in gender norm change.
Peer-led awareness: Migrant women share stories and conduct workshops in native languages.

Safe Spaces and Shelters

Expand shelters like Matsaung with multilingual staff, privacy, and childcare.

Integrated Service Delivery

Combine psychosocial support, medical care, and case management.
Use peer counselors to overcome language and trust barriers. (msf.org.za)

Economic Empowerment

Cash-based interventions reduce reliance on exploitative relationships.
Vocational and skills training for safe income generation.

Data and Coordination

Implement GBVIMS+ or simplified local monitoring.
Establish Musina GBV Coordination Forum to align NGOs, government, and community efforts.

Recommendations and Implementation Timeline

Stakeholder	Recommendation	Timeline
Government (DSD, SAPS, Home Affairs)	Create GBV coordination task force, expand shelters, provide interpreter services.	0–6 months: Task force; pilot shelters. 6–18 months: Institutionalize interpreters; scale shelters.
UN Agencies & Donors	Fund community mobilization, cash-based interventions, peer counselor training, and data systems.	0–12 months: Pilot programs; train peer counselors. 12–24 months: Scale interventions; monitor outcomes.
NGOs & Faith-Based Groups	Expand safe spaces, train multilingual peer educators, implement awareness campaigns, engage men in workshops.	0–6 months: Recruit peer educators; plan campaigns. 6–18 months: Implement programs; monitor impact.
Healthcare Providers	Train staff in trauma-informed care, integrate mental health screening, establish referral pathways.	0–6 months: Deliver training; establish referral system. 6–12 months: Implement screening; refine protocols.
Migrant Communities	Lead peer support groups, shape safe spaces, participate in coordination forums.	0–6 months: Launch peer groups. 6–12 months: Engage with coordination bodies.

Ethical Considerations

Confidentiality: Protect survivors from deportation or stigma.
Participation: Include migrant women in program design.
Cultural Competence: Respect language, cultural, and religious diversity.
Sustainability: Avoid short-term campaigns.
Monitoring: Use both quantitative and qualitative feedback to improve programs.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Musina is more than a transit town—it is a site of vulnerability and resilience. GBV among female migrants is high, services are limited, and coordination remains fragmented.

Policymakers, NGOs, donors, and healthcare providers must act to:

Expand multilingual, community-led safe spaces.
Systematically engage men and boys in prevention.
Scale psychosocial support and trauma-informed care.
Implement data systems to monitor GBV.
Empower migrant women as agents of change.

By prioritizing these strategies, South Africa can reduce GBV in Musina transit camps and strengthen protection for vulnerable migrant women.

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