Godongwana to outline GBVF funding plans in mini budget

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has promised that his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) will set aside funds for programmes aimed at combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

The MTBPS is expected to be delivered on 21 October.

Godongwana addressed dozens of ANC Women's League members, who staged a picket outside the National Treasury offices in Pretoria on Monday.

"Your cause is a just one, and I agree with it. We will indicate on 21 October what action is going to be taken," Godongwana said.

"We will be presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, in which the government will outline the decisions it has made regarding the classification of GBVF. Work is currently being undertaken by a number of workstreams," he told the crowd.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed members of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide ahead of Women's Month, observed annually in August.

GBVF was declared a national disaster last year following sustained calls from campaigners for stronger government intervention.

Acting ANC Women's League President Cde Nokuthula Nqaba said the organisation wants resources to be allocated urgently to implement the government's response to GBVF.

"Since last year's declaration of GBVF as a national disaster, only structures have been established, with the expectation that they would drive the implementation of interventions to combat gender-based violence and femicide," she said.

"To date, nothing significant has happened except the establishment of various workstreams. In practical terms, we have not seen any meaningful difference."

She said women and children continue to live in vulnerable circumstances.

"It cannot be business as usual. Something drastic has to be done," she said.

According to Nqaba, when the ANC Women's League met with the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, they were informed that no funding had been made available.

As a result, the department has been unable to fully implement the government's response to gender-based violence and femicide following the declaration.

"We want the allocation of discretionary funding. That is all we are asking for. We are calling for funds to be set aside for the immediate implementation of the declaration," Nqaba added.