/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, welcomes the Presidential GBVF Pledge as a persuading Message to men to lead the call to end Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

GBVF is a phenomenon that drives numerous acts of violence against women, children and persons with disabilities. The alarming high rates of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa make being a woman in South Africa more dangerous than being in war-torn areas. Globally, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) remains a multifaceted social issue in the 21st century. Despite the ratification of international treaties and national laws, South Africa continues to have alarmingly high levels of GBVF, which were worsened during the COVID-19 national lockdown.

“The Criminal Justice System cannot end GBVF, but it is men who can end it, we urge all men in the country to attach their signatures to the Presidential GBVF Pledge as a demonstration of their commitment to end the scourge of GBVF,” said Minister Chikunga; https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/assets/downloads/pledge.pdf

The government has over the years brought forward several strategies to fight against GBVF by introducing Extensive legal reform; Support for survivors through the provision of evidence kits at police stations; Psychological and social services; The establishment of a GBVF Response Fund and Support for Thuthuzela and Khuseleka Care Centres, which provide vital services for GBV survivors. The broader spectrum of gender-based violence is

rooted in interrelated patriarchal inequities, political economy, power relations, and social reproduction. With now National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act in place it calls for the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide which will be responsible for providing strategic leadership on the elimination of GBVF in South Africa.

Issued by Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities