Ramaphosa says GBV declared a national crisis
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has been declared a national crisis.
Ramaphosa told delegates to the G20 Social Summit that no society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continues, and the agency of women is denied.
"The violence perpetrated by men against women erodes the social fabric of nations and imposes a heavy burden that constrains development and weakens inclusive growth.
"Men and boys are critical partners in transforming harmful norms and advancing gender justice. They must be actively involved in challenging inherited attitudes, power imbalances, and social structures that normalise violence and silence survivors.
"Here in South Africa, we have declared gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis.
"We have agreed, among all social partners, that we need to take extraordinary and concerted action – using every means at our disposal – to end this crisis," Ramaphosa said.
His comments came on the eve of nationwide protests by the advocacy group Women for Change, which is demanding that the issue be declared a national crisis.
Meanwhile, Masango said for years South Africa has been confronted with the deeply rooted reality of violence against women and children.
“Despite multiple interventions by government and civil society, this violence persists in many communities.
“The committee believes that the President’s declaration is an urgent reminder that the country must take bolder and more decisive steps,” Masango added.
She said the Parliamentary Committee has long called on law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders to fast-track the National Integrated Strategy on the Prevention of Femicide.
“This strategy aims to strengthen legislation, introduce femicide-specific policies, and create clear guidelines for preventing and responding to femicide,” she said.
Masango noted in a statement on Thursday that over the past 20 years, South Africa recorded an estimated 10 972 femicide cases.
“Three women are killed every day by an intimate partner. One in four women reports experiencing physical or sexual abuse.
“These represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities living in fear,” she said.
Masangao said the standing committee has also raised repeated concerns about the slow reporting on the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF and the limited coordination between the Department of Social Development and other key stakeholders.
“The declaration by the President must therefore serve as a turning point.”
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