Activists in South Africa have welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's proposed measures to address gender-based violence, but are demanding more than just speeches. They say that survivors of abuse need to see tangible action and support from the government, including properly funded shelters, trained police, and transparent accountability. Cheryl Hlabane, spokesperson and operations director at Frida Hartley Shelter, one of Johannesburg's oldest shelters for homeless women and children fleeing domestic violence, said that inadequate funding for organisations providing essential shelter and support services remained a significant challenge.
According to Hlabane, the shortage of affordable housing left some women with little choice but to return to abusive families or intimidating partners because they could not afford to live independently. She also called for more programmes and training to help families and communities support survivors, as well as improved police training in trauma-informed responses and interviewing techniques. Hlabane noted that the 2021 figure quoted by the President - that 60% of women murdered in 2021/2022 were killed by an intimate partner - was not new to them, as they lived it daily.
Elton Adkins, founder of Unite Against GBV in Pietermaritzburg, warned that implementation would determine whether survivors benefited from the government's measures. He said that survivors needed more than commitments, they needed to see these measures implemented effectively and urgently. Adkins called for a dedicated, properly trained GBV unit within the South African Police Service (SAPS), alongside stronger coordination between police, prosecutors, courts, social workers, healthcare providers, and community organisations.
Adkins also stressed the importance of prioritising forensic samples linked to the rape or murder of women and children, saying delays could hinder investigations and leave families waiting for answers. He called for clear timelines, measurable targets, and regular public reporting, with explanations for delayed cases and plans to move stalled investigations forward. Adkins urged the government to move beyond public statements and take immediate action, saying that survivors could not wait another 7 years before the next incoming President addressed the nation about gender-based violence.
Gideon Joubert, spokesperson for Free SA, said that the government needed to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing gender-based violence. He called for sufficient numbers of properly trained investigators, adequate administrative support, functioning vehicles and equipment, reliable forensic services, and facilities where survivors could report crimes safely and with dignity. Joubert stressed that improving the criminal justice system also required earlier intervention in domestic violence cases, effective enforcement of protection orders, and consequences for breaches before abuse escalated into further violence.
Nishani Kishore, founder of the Infinity Foundation on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, said that announcements must now become action. She called for a coordinated support system that would prevent survivors from having to approach multiple departments independently to obtain assistance. Kishore also stressed the need for sustainable resources for community organisations, which often provide the first point of contact for survivors.
The activists' demands come as South Africa continues to grapple with high rates of gender-based violence, with at least 6-8 women dying daily in the country. The country's femicide rate is 5% higher than the global average. Activists are urging the government to take immediate action to address the crisis, including providing adequate funding for organisations providing essential services to survivors.
Key points
- Activists demand that the South African government move beyond speeches and take immediate action to address the country's high rates of gender-based violence.
- Survivors of abuse need to see tangible action and support from the government, including properly funded shelters, trained police, and transparent accountability.
- The government needs to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing gender-based violence, including providing adequate funding for organisations providing essential services to survivors.
