The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has recommended that government look at further regulations around the sale of alcohol in South Africa. This is hinged on responses to the country’s high level of gender-based violence. As such, higher taxation is being suggested to as a means of curbing in.
The commission is set to present a webinar on its findings on Thursday (12 November), said that the country needs to have a ‘sober discussion’ around alcohol and substance abuse as contributing factors in gender-based violence.
Some of its key recommendations include: Minimum unit pricing, for instance, studies have showed how a 10% increase in price causes a 4.4% fall in consumption, the commission said.
Also similar meta-analysis of the impact of altering alcohol tax showed that a doubling of tax led to a 35% reduction in alcohol-related mortality.
Stricter punishment is also being advocated.