Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has welcomed recent commitments announced by the Finance Minister during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to provide funds that will significantly strengthen the country's response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
A total of R3.8 billion was allocated over the medium term to recruit 3 552 social workers across the provinces to support GBVF prevention, early intervention, psychosocial support, and victim empowerment programmes.
The funding forms part of a broader R5.1 billion GBVF package, which also includes R186 million to enhance forensic and investigative capacity, the expansion of sexual offences courts (SOCs) from 55 to 101, the increase of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) from 72 to 80 by 2028/29, and R157.4 million for the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to strengthen coordination and oversight of GBVF initiatives.
Speaking during a strategic engagement with the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on Friday, 13 November 2026, on the implementation of Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF (NSP-GBVF), which focuses on Justice, Safety and Protection, Chikunga said the funding commitments are an important step towards addressing resource constraints that have affected government's ability to implement the national plan.
She noted that both the NSP-GBVF and the GBVF Disaster Management Plans remain unfunded mandates, significantly limiting the department's capacity to fulfil its coordination and oversight responsibilities.
“These investments demonstrate government's commitment to prioritising GBVF prevention and improving support services for women, children, and vulnerable communities,” Chikunga said.
However, she stressed that sustainable and dedicated funding remains essential to ensure that effective implementation of the NSP on GBVF translates into effective frontline services and meaningful protection for survivors.
From policy development to implementation
As government moves into the next phase of NSP implementation, the Minister said the government's focus is moving from policy development to implementation at scale, with more emphasis on measurable outcomes, accountability, and strengthening capacity at provincial and local government levels.
Priority areas include:
• Strengthening survivor-centred justice services;
• Improving coordination across the criminal justice value chain;
• Enhancing data and reporting systems;
• Strengthening accountability for implementation across all departments;
• Expanding prevention initiatives and behaviour-change programmes;
• Improving provincial and local implementation capacity;
• Institutionalising the work of the National Council on GBVF;
• Enhancing oversight, monitoring and evaluation arrangements; and
• Securing sustainable financing for NSP implementation.
Chikunga said the fight against GBVF requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, including civil society, business, organised labour, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, and communities.
She also highlighted the importance of engaging men and boys in challenging harmful gender norms and promoting positive masculinities as part of efforts to prevent violence.
“As we advance this work, we are guided by the understanding that ending GBVF is not only a government responsibility; it is a national imperative. It is for this reason that the theme for the 2026 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign is: Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls Working Together to End Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
“Together, through collective action, accountability and sustained commitment, we can build a South Africa in which every woman, every child and every person lives free from fear, violence and discrimination,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
