Ramaphosa: Govt making headway on GBV council
President Cyril Ramphosa says government has made some headway in the establishment of a council to deal with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide.
Ramaphosa made the remarks on Wednesday during a virtual session commemorating the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign.
The council will form part of the National Strategic Plan.
“Government is in the process of drafting the Bill on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council, which is expected to be in Parliament early next year,” Ramaphosa said.
“I consider the establishment of this council, which is part of the Declaration on Gender-Based Violence in 2019, to be critical in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan.”
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The event was held at the Dorothy Nyembe Park in Dobsonville where many bodies of victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are found. Earlier this year, Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko revealed that more than 5000 cases of gender-based violence were opened in the province between March and April.
This year’s campaign focuses on economic justice.
Ramaphosa added that government remains committed to addressing the poverty, exclusion and economic marginalisation facing millions of women.
“Our National Strategic Plan guides the effort to combat gender-based violence and femicide. Since the start of this year we have been moving ahead with implementation in key areas: namely care and support for survivors; education and prevention; enhancing legal and policy frameworks; strengthening the criminal justice system; and women’s economic empowerment.”
Ramaphosa said the private sector will also play a key role in ensuring more opportunities for women.
“As part of this effort, earlier this year we announced that South Africa will be setting aside 40% of all public procurement for women-owned enterprises.
“As part of the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, we are increasing our support to women-owned small, medium and micro enterprises to enable them to benefit from, among other things, the infrastructure development programme and opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture and tourism,” he added.
The 16 days of activism campaign coincides with the beginning of a 5-day mourning period for those who have lost their lives to gender-based violence and Covid-19.
