South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly acknowledged that the government has not done enough to protect women from violence, a crisis he first addressed seven years ago. In a national address, Ramaphosa expressed his grief and anger over the senseless killings of women in the country. He stated that the nation is still battling the same crisis, with violence against women being a "source of profound pain and national shame".
The president's address came after the discovery of another woman's body in Springs on Sunday afternoon, bringing the total number of murdered women found in Ekurhuleni since July to 11. Ramaphosa named some of the victims, including Busisiwe Mahlangu, Itumeleng Kekana, and Jabulile Ntimba, but noted that the list is not complete. He also mentioned that there are women lying in government mortuaries, waiting to be identified and claimed by their families.
Ramaphosa emphasized that every victim was more than a statistic, and that behind each death was a human being with value and a future that mattered. He stated that the violence being perpetrated against women in the country is inhuman and that the nation is angry and justified in its anger. The president also acknowledged that the government's previous interventions had not brought the necessary change, and that more needs to be done to prevent women from being killed.
The president conceded that the government had fallen short in its efforts to protect women, and that it has not been enough to make women safe in their homes, streets, public transport, workplaces, and places of learning. He also noted that it has not been enough to change the attitudes and behavior that enable violence against women. Ramaphosa emphasized that the responsibility to address this issue extends beyond government, and that society as a whole must also do better.
Ramaphosa's address was a somber reflection on the state of violence against women in South Africa. He stated that he shares the grief at the lives so cruelly and senselessly cut short, and that he too shares the anger and frustration. The president's words were a acknowledgement of the government's failure to address this issue, and a call to action for the government and society to do more to protect women.
The discovery of the bodies of 11 women in Ekurhuleni since July has highlighted the urgent need for action to address violence against women in South Africa. Ramaphosa's address was a recognition of the severity of the crisis, and a commitment to doing more to prevent women from being killed. The president's words were also a message of solidarity with the families of the victims, and a expression of the nation's sorrow and outrage.
The government's efforts to address violence against women will be closely watched, as the nation waits to see if the president's words will be followed by concrete actions. Ramaphosa's acknowledgement of the government's failure to protect women is a crucial step towards addressing this issue, and it remains to be seen what steps the government will take to prevent further killings and make women safer in South Africa.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledges government's failure to protect women from violence.
- The government has not done enough to prevent women from being killed, and more needs to be done to address the crisis.
- The responsibility to address violence against women extends beyond government, and society as a whole must also do better.
