At a shooting range near Pretoria, women and girls undergo firearm training to combat gender-based violence declared a national disaster. Claire van der Westhuizen, lead instructor, teaches real-world scenarios like defensive shooting while prone. Femicide rates in South Africa are among the world's highest, with 15 women killed daily due to gender violence. A 2022 study found over 35% of women experienced physical or sexual violence. Sunette du Toit, a 51-year-old grandmother, took up training after surviving a home invasion, calling it 'a family of support.'

While firearms require proficiency tests and background checks, self-defense martial arts like jiujitsu are also gaining traction. Tatiana Leyka, 33, emphasizes self-protection amid South Africa's high violence rates. Marguerite Hershensohn, 49, trains with her daughter, relieved they're not relying solely on police. However, Sonke Gender Justice policy manager Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga warns this shifts burden to women rather than addressing perpetrators.

Despite government pledges, conviction rates for rape remain low at 8%, with many cases dropped. Women often conceal training from partners. The national disaster declaration allows fund allocation, but activists criticize poor implementation. This surge in self-defense training reflects women taking safety into their own hands amid systemic failures.