GIRL POWER: Call for action in GBV fight

 AHEAD of today’s nationwide shutdown, Women For Change (WFC) scored a small victory in the fight to end gender-based violence.

Pressure since demanding urgent action, accountability, and proper implementation of existing laws, saw President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday declare the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) both a national and global crisis.

Speaking at the closing of the G20 Social Summit yesterday, he said: “No society can thrive as long as gender-based violence and femicide continue, and the agency of women is denied.

“The violence perpetrated by men against women erodes the social fabric of nations. Men and women are equal partners and must be actively involved to resolve power imbalances that normalise violence and silences survivors.”

But activists are demanding more, as WFC activist and Victim Support Lead Michael Benevolent Masina said they don’t need more speeches from the president; they need urgency, accountability, and action.

The shutdown comes after years of rising femicide and brutal attacks on women.

Masina said: “In the past few weeks alone, we’ve seen cases that would break any nation, and still, we return to silence, excuses, and inaction.

“We have normalised GBVF! Women For Change reached a point where we could not stand by and watch another name trend for a day and disappear.

“This shutdown is us saying: enough. No more hashtags. No more vigils. We need action, accountability, and transparency from our leaders.”

WFC has built a grassroots network of coordinators across all provinces, where ordinary women are organising safe 15-minute lie-downs in public spaces, supported by clear safety guidelines and route information.

The group emphasised accessibility, stating: “No marches, no crowds. Just a silent, powerful moment in your nearest public space.”

They are calling on government to implement existing GBV laws, including functional police units, fast-tracked GBV courts, funding for shelters, and consequences for officers who mishandle cases.

Masina added: “We’ll know the government is serious when survivors stop being turned away and perpetrators face real consequences.”

The shutdown also gives survivors a moment to reclaim visibility.

Thousands of SA mense have already shown support by changing their profile pictures to purple. WFC urged the public to wear black, refrain from work or spending.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Government also highlighted its efforts in the war against GBV, pointing to a collaboration through the LEAP policing programme, the Violence Prevention Unit, and the provincial Department of Social Development’s (DSD) GBV Ambassadors.

DSD minister Jaco Londt said: “The more residents who stand up and say they want to make a positive difference, the greater chance we have of achieving a safe, peaceful, and thriving society for all.

‘They are taking a stand against abuse and violence.”.