The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement declaring Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a national crisis.
DWYPD Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said the “bold and necessary” declaration marks a significant step toward strengthening South Africa’s multi-sectoral response to “one of the most devastating and persistent human rights violations affecting women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.”
President Ramaphosa made the announcement when he was delivering the keynote address at the closing ceremony of the G20 Social Summit at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, on Thursday.
He urged governments, communities, and social partners to intensify efforts to combat GBVF, empower women and youth, and strengthen South Africa’s health, education, and social systems.
“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. It imposes a heavy burden that constrains development and weakens inclusive growth.”
The President stressed the need for extraordinary and coordinated action, noting that “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. 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,” the President said.
Chikunga reaffirmed the department’s role as the custodian of strategic leadership, advocacy, and coordination to mainstream the socio-economic empowerment of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
She said the declaration underscores the government’s commitment towards accelerating the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF (NSP-GBVF), which includes six pillars: accountability coordination and leadership; prevention and rebuilding social cohesion; justice, safety and protection; response, care, support and healing; economic power; and research and information management.
Recognising GBVF as a violation of human rights, Chikunga said the national crisis declaration elevates GBVF to a top-tier priority that demands urgent and coordinated action across all spheres of government, civil society, the private sector, and communities.
“Government alone cannot end GBVF. It demands a united front—where communities, men, and institutions actively challenge harmful norms, protect survivors, and uphold justice,” the Minister said.
As the country prepares for the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the department will launch the campaign under the theme “LETSEMA,” calling on men, women, boys, girls, and media houses to work together to End Gender Violence and Femicide.
The department said the campaign aims to bring together filmmakers, media professionals, civil society, academia, researchers, and development partners to co-create a shared agenda for GBV prevention through responsible storytelling and inclusive media representation. – SAnews.gov.za
