President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has announced four key measures to strengthen the country's fight against gender-based violence. In a recent address to the nation, Ramaphosa acknowledged that current efforts to combat the scourge have been insufficient. The measures aim to accelerate the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
The first measure involves a national case-recovery operation focused on unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes, and serious offences involving women and children. The operation, led by the Minister of Police, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, will identify the number and age of unresolved cases, cases awaiting forensic evidence, and cases with identified suspects who have not been arrested.
The second measure requires the Minister of Police, National Commissioner of Police, and relevant forensic authorities to present a funded plan within 60 days to reduce forensic backlogs and establish clear turnaround standards for priority gender-based violence and femicide cases. The plan must address personnel and equipment shortages, resources required, and dates for backlog reduction.
The third measure involves conducting women's safety audits in every municipality to identify high-risk areas and conditions that place women at risk, such as broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, and poorly secured parks. The audits must be completed within 60 days, and urgent hazards must be addressed or included in a funded implementation plan with clear completion dates within 90 days.
The fourth measure focuses on reducing alcohol-related violence through a coordinated legislative and enforcement package. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, working with other ministers, will submit the package to Cabinet within 60 days. Ramaphosa emphasized that while alcohol is not the cause of gender-based violence, it is a significant aggravating factor that must be addressed.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee and the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide will monitor these measures and issue consolidated public progress reports every quarter. The first report must be issued within 90 days. Ramaphosa stressed that these directives establish responsibilities, deadlines, and a duty to submit regular reports to the nation.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the need to address the root causes of gender-based violence, including attitudes that regard women as inferior and the belief that a man has the right to control a woman. He emphasized that preventing violence before it starts is crucial and that programmes, stronger laws, and additional resources will not, on their own, end violence against women.
Key points
- President Ramaphosa has ordered a national case-recovery operation to address unresolved gender-based violence cases.
- A funded plan will be developed to reduce forensic backlogs and establish clear turnaround standards for priority cases.
- Municipalities will conduct women's safety audits to identify and address high-risk areas and conditions.
