An exploratory study of the Psychosocial-Cultural factors contributing to Femicide in South Africa: A systematic review

An exploratory study of the Psychosocial-Cultural factors contributing to Femicide in South Africa: A systematic review

Unati Mangisa & Asanda Zembe

Issue: Vol. 7 No.3 2026 Article 4 pp.699 – 711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026734| Published online 15th April 2026

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ABSTRACT

Globally, femicide is becoming an increasingly alarming and distressing issue, with women subjected to severe and often fatal violence. Femicide, the wilful homicide by men against their female counterparts, is a global and cumulative quagmire worldwide, with South Africa experiencing particularly high rates of magnitude. This review explored the psychosocial and cultural factors that contribute to femicide in South Africa. The review used a psychosocial-cultural perspective to examine key drivers, including patriarchy, gender norms, psychological influences, and cultural beliefs and practices. It also investigated the intersections of gender, violence, and cultural aspects, while analysing the wide-ranging impacts of female homicide on victims, immediate families, friends, communities, and society as a whole. The current research article points out gaps and concerns in the existing body of knowledge, underscoring a need for continual research and the constitution of new policies that advocate against femicide. It calls for the creation and implementation of systematic interventions, plans, and ways to curb and alleviate female homicide in South Africa. Additionally, this review provides a foundational blueprint for ongoing dialogue and evidence-based efforts to combat femicide.

Keywords: Systematic Review, Femicide, Psychosocial-cultural Determinants, Gender-Based Violence, Patriarchy

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Unati Mangisa is a Master’s candidate at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), where she also earned her Bachelor of Psychology degree. Her Master’s dissertation focuses on parental motivation and their children’s career choices. As an emerging researcher, she is dedicated to contributing to the psychological and educational discourse within the South African context.

Asanda Zembe is a Registered Counsellor and a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He holds a Master of Arts from Walter Sisulu University, where his research centered on sexual bereavement and trauma. Mr. Zembe specializes in several key psychological domains, including African psychology, health psychology, cyberpsychology, and bereavement. His published work explores the complex psychological effects of trauma and loss within diverse social contexts.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Mangisa, Unati, and Asanda Zembe.“ An exploratory study of the Psychosocial-Cultural factors contributing to Femicide in South Africa: A Systematic Review,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.3 (2026): 699 – 711. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026734