Ramaphosa appoints new GBV Council ahead of Women's Month
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, with the new body set to begin its three-year term from Saturday.
The council is tasked with providing strategic leadership in efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
The Presidency says it will coordinate the response to the country's GBV crisis, including the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide across national, provincial and local government structures, as well as within communities.
The appointed members are Dr Ramalepe Lebogang Mathibe, Keitumetse Fatimata Moutloatse, Caroline Peters, Dr Zubeda Dangor, Vuyisiwe Nxumalo, Anele Siswana and Mr TWM Limema.
Dr Ramalepe L. Mathibe will serve as chairperson, while Ms Welheminah R. 'Shoki' Tshabalala has been appointed deputy chair.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said the council's work will be critical as the government intensifies efforts to address the country's GBV crisis.
"The establishment of this council provides an important platform to strengthen coordination, accountability and action in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide."
The president expects the council to use the classification of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster to challenge harmful social attitudes and practices, promote women’s economic empowerment, strengthen law enforcement responses and expand survivor-centred support services.
The council begins its term at a time when the government traditionally highlights the challenges facing women and girls in South Africa.
The Presidency says the council will be expected to work with government, civil society, communities and other stakeholders to accelerate interventions aimed at preventing violence against women and children and improving support for survivors.
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