Violence and the threat of violence is a fear that is experienced by every woman - irrespective of age, skin colour, religion, economic or social status. It is a gender-based violence, targeted at women because of the inequality of positions between men and women in society, but which also intersects with other types of violence depending on a woman's class, ethnicity, religion, sexuality etc. Violence against women can take many forms, including domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment.

AWAM's advocacy work focuses primarily on rape, and we work collaboratively with the Joint Action Group against Violence Against Women (JAG-VAW), as well as other women's rights networks and organisations, on campaigns against the various forms of violence against women.

Summary of recommendations by JAG-VAW to the Select Committee on Penal Code (Amendment) 2004 and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2004.