Quantify economic impact
A consistent national figure, revised annually.
Research & Index
What we do not measure, we struggle to change.
The initiative intends to establish a recurring GBV Socio-Economic Impact Index for South Africa: a consistent, published method for measuring economic and workplace impact.
Why an index
Estimates start the conversation. Measurement sustains it.
Existing figures are useful but inconsistent, dated and difficult to compare. An index built on a published method allows employers, departments and funders to be held to something specific.
Research collaboration has been discussed with organisations such as Ask Africa. No contractual research partnership is confirmed, and the index methodology is still in development.
Current evidence base
The figures the Imbizo starts from
Each statistic is labelled with the strength of its claim. Sources are attached to each figure as they are formally cited.
Estimated
US$1.5tn
Estimated annual global cost, approximately 2% of global GDP.
Estimated
1.2–3.7%
Estimated economic impact across Africa, referenced in project materials as US$42.72 billion to US$131.72 billion.
Historic estimates
R28.4–42.4bn
Historic estimates of the annual economic cost of GBV in South Africa.
Project research references
30–50%
Project research references potential productivity losses associated with workplace bullying and harassment.
Estimated
71%
An estimated share of workplace bullying that may go unreported.
Research indicates
22.8%
ILO-related research referenced within project materials. A further 17.9% experience psychological harassment.
Project research references
R1.65bn
Referenced within project materials as an indicative commitment.
Project research references
R1.6bn
Referenced within project materials as an indicative allocation.
Index objectives
What the index aims to do
Measure workplace effects
Absenteeism, productivity, turnover and wellness costs.
Establish benchmarks
Comparable measures across sectors and employer size.
Track progress over time
A recurring index rather than a once-off report.
Identify sector differences
Where impact concentrates and why.
Inform corporate policy
Evidence HR, ESG and risk teams can act on.
Support government planning
Inputs for budgeting and service design.
Guide funding
Direction for CSI, donor and DFI allocation.
Improve accountability
Published measures that can be returned to.
Method
How the index is intended to work
- Step 1
Scope
Define indicators across economy, workplace and public services.
- Step 2
Instrument
Design employer, household and institutional data instruments.
- Step 3
Collect
Gather data through research partners and participating employers.
- Step 4
Validate
Peer and technical review before any figure is published.
- Step 5
Publish
Release the index with sources attached to every statistic.
- Step 6
Repeat
Re-run on a fixed cycle so change becomes visible.
Contribute research, data or a workplace dataset
Universities, research institutions, economists and employers can contribute abstracts, methodology input or participation in data collection.