A Champion for GBV Survivors

Sharon Kouta recently retired from NACOSA, where she served as a GBV Programme Specialist and has been with NACOSA for 11 years. With a background in social work, her journey has been marked by a deep commitment to helping the most vulnerable in society.  

I come from a very protected environment, Sharon reflecting on her upbringing. I was never exposed to GBV. Growing up, it was something I read about, something I saw on the news, but it was distant. It wasn’t until much later that I realised how widespread it was.

Sharon initially set out to be a teacher, enrolling in university with the intention of following that path. However, a first-year module in social work changed the course of her life. “I remember after my first-year thinking, ‘This is what I want to do.’ I knew then that I wanted to be a social worker.” She says  

Her first professional experience was with a government department in Cape Town, and she later moved to work in East London, Eastern Cape, where she began to witness the reality of sexual violence. “It was in East London, though, where it really hit me. I saw first-hand the devastating impact of sexual violence. It was no longer a distant issue—it was right in front of me.”  

“What I realised is that women stay in abusive relationships because they don’t have a way out,” she said. “They depend on their husbands or partners, financially and otherwise. But once they have something of their own, something they can earn from, it makes a world of difference.” 

Sharon’s work extended beyond just counselling and social work. She became deeply involved in economic empowerment programmes, understanding that financial independence is crucial for women seeking to leave abusive situations. “It’s not just about offering support; it’s about providing a way out. That’s why economic empowerment programmes are so important. They give women the tools to reclaim their lives.”  

Her advocacy didn’t stop there. Sharon, alongside other activists, played a key role in the fight for the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). “I became active in movements, in policy discussions. We needed to make sure that GBV was on the national agenda, and we fought hard for it.” 

Sharon played an important role in policy development  and new legislation for the Gender-based Violence Programme when she worked for the Department of Social Development and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and also during her time at NACOSA. These legislative frameworks are now being implemented. This involved actively working with key government partners and NGOs in the sector.  

Discussing the current state of GBV response in South Africa, Sharon expressed concern about the lack of reports at certain TCCs, especially in high-income areas, and the accessibility of critical services in rural areas. “Although crime reports are high in low-income groups, the reality is that GBV affects people of all races and income groups. Many experience it, and I would love to see people from all backgrounds reporting to TCCs.” She explains 

She highlighted the difference in services between urban and rural areas. “There are currently 65 Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), and more will be launched, but most of these are in urban or peri-urban areas. The biggest need is in rural areas, but it’s expensive to run TCCs there. In these regions, survivors can receive forensic services, but the follow-up support they need is often lacking. There’s simply not enough staff to provide long-term support.” 

I would love to see rape survivors carried through the process for a longer period. We need long-term support, especially in rural areas. It’s not enough to just provide immediate care; we need to be there for the long term. Sharon shares her vision 

“My advice to NACOSA would be to stay bold and true to your mission,” she concludes. “We must remember that being a ‘critical friend’ means we can’t shy away from holding our partners, donors, and even the government accountable. It’s easy to get caught up in the politics of funding and partnerships, but the real focus should always be on the communities we serve. Their needs must come first.”  

Sharon Kouta’s legacy is one of strong dedication to the fight against GBV. As she retires, her hope is that the work she’s spent her life on will keep growing stronger and reach even more people, especially in rural areas where the need is greatest.