Full Breakdown
South Africa Declares Gender-Based Violence a National Disaster
12/4/2025, 10:25:37 AM
Overview of the Gender-Based Violence Crisis
South Africa has classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster, a decision that reflects the urgent need for action against a crisis that has plagued the nation for decades. According to UN Women, South Africa's femicide rate is five times higher than the global average. Between April 2023 and March 2024, Women for Change (WFC), a nonprofit organization focused on combating GBVF, reported that 5,578 women and 1,656 children were killed, with femicide increasing by 33.8% year-on-year. Additionally, over 42,000 rape cases were reported, although it is estimated that 95% of rapes go unreported.
The Context of Gender-Based Violence
The prevalence of GBVF in South Africa is alarming, with studies indicating that at least 33.1% of women over the age of 18 have experienced physical violence in their lifetime. A government survey from 2022 found that one in three South African women had faced physical violence, while nearly 10% had experienced sexual violence. Cameron Kasambala, WFC's national spokesperson, noted that the conviction rate for GBVF cases is only 12%, highlighting systemic failures in law enforcement and societal attitudes that often dismiss these incidents as private matters.
Activism and Government Response
In November 2023, WFC organized nationwide protests coinciding with South Africa's hosting of the G20 summit, urging the government to declare GBVF a national disaster. Participants engaged in "lie-down" protests, symbolizing the 15 lives lost daily to gender-based violence. Following these protests, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) officially classified GBVF as a national disaster on November 21, 2023, citing the persistent life-safety risks posed by ongoing violence.
Kasambala emphasized that this classification should lead to more efficient implementation of existing policies and legislation aimed at combating GBVF. The South African government has committed to advancing its National Strategic Plan on GBVF (2020–2030) to create a GBVF-free society, which includes strengthening community-based services and finalizing the Victim Support Services Bill.
Challenges and Community Support
Despite the progress, WFC operates as an unfunded organization, run by five women who have faced threats for their advocacy work. However, they maintain strong community support, with nearly 300,000 followers on social media actively engaging with their initiatives. Kasambala described the government's declaration as a bittersweet victory, acknowledging the significant loss of life that prompted this action.
Official Statements & Responses
The NDMC stated, "After evaluating the persistent and immediate life-safety risks posed by ongoing acts of violence, GBVF now meets the threshold of a potential disaster as defined in the Act." Kasambala remarked, "On paper, what it should mean is that they will now more efficiently implement existing policies and legislation — which is what we wanted."
Criticism & Opposition
While the declaration has been welcomed by activists, there are concerns about the actual implementation of policies and whether the government will follow through on its commitments. Critics argue that previous initiatives have failed to produce significant changes, and there is skepticism about whether this new classification will lead to tangible improvements in the safety of women in South Africa.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To even get to the courts is to get past the police and unfortunately many of the times, the police turn away survivors and victims and their families,” — Cameron Kasambala, WFC National Spokesperson
- “After evaluating the persistent and immediate life-safety risks posed by ongoing acts of violence, the NDMC has concluded that GBVF now meets the threshold of a potential disaster as defined in the Act,” — National Disaster Management Centre
