Story perspectives

South Africa Strengthens Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

9/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) in South Africa leads a multi-sectoral approach to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) via the National Strategic Plan (NSP) initiated in 2020.
The NSP features six pillars: accountability, prevention, response, support, research, and coordination, establishing over 100 GBVF response centers and updating the Domestic Violence Act in 2023.
The DWYPD focuses on collaboration with government and civil society to turn commitments into effective support and empowerment for survivors.

History

Historical Context

In 1996, South Africa adopted a groundbreaking Constitution that explicitly prohibited gender discrimination, marking a significant step towards gender equality. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities now implements the National Strategic Plan to combat gender-based violence, establishing over 100 response centers. This initiative builds on historical commitments to support survivors and aims to reshape societal attitudes towards gender-based violence in South Africa.

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Story summary

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) in South Africa leads a multi-sectoral approach to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) via the National Strategic Plan (NSP) initiated in 2020.
The NSP features six pillars: accountability, prevention, response, support, research, and coordination, establishing over 100 GBVF response centers and updating the Domestic Violence Act in 2023.
The DWYPD focuses on collaboration with government and civil society to turn commitments into effective support and empowerment for survivors.

1 / 2