Do men restore vulnerable women’s dignity and sanctity by mutilating their bodies? A paradox of gender-based violence and femicide in Judges 19–21

The objective of this article is to probe gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by appealing to a biblical text, viz., Judges 19–21, that depicts one of the most gruesome acts of violation of women in the Bible. It then attempts to extract sense, purpose and resolution in a South African society that is replete and affected with broken and hopeless women and girl children who are victims of rape, murder and dehumanisation by asking pertinent questions of ‘agency’, namely, who is fighting their wars against the perpetrators, and what is the punishment against the perpetrators which might serve as a deterrent to this scourge. It argues that women in South Africa continue to be victims of seemingly unabated, vicious acts of gender-based violence (GBV). The search for a lasting solution remains a serious but illusive mirage. In search for a lasting solution, the article juxtaposes the biblical text with the ongoing war by the Israeli Defence Forces against Hamas’ obstinate resistance. The findings are premised on the exegesis of the biblical text using Contextual Bible Study and missiological praxis cycles. Contribution: The article concludes with concise proposals aimed at achieving a lasting solution to GBVF.