PRETORIA – In an ongoing effort to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa, the government and civil society are working closely to implement the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF-NSP). Introduced in April 2020, the plan comprises six pillars aimed at tackling GBVF from various angles, including accountability, prevention, justice, and economic empowerment.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Nokuzola Tolashe, reported that the department has proposed treating GBVF as a pandemic, a move supported by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address. The National Femicide Prevalence Survey, launched in March 2022, represents a commitment to a multi-stakeholder approach to eradicating gender-based violence.
Despite some progress, GBVF remains a significant challenge in South Africa, deeply ingrained in various societal structures. Tolashe emphasized that GBVF is a structural issue, exacerbated by inequalities and patriarchal customs, particularly in developing countries. Poverty and lack of economic empowerment opportunities further heighten the vulnerability of women and persons with disabilities to GBVF.
In response to the GBVF Presidential Summit’s two-year implementation goal for the National Strategic Plan, there is a proposal to create local economies focused on women’s cooperatives, supported by local institutions. This initiative aims to reduce economic dependence, which is often a barrier to escaping abusive situations.
The World Bank has identified GBVF as a global pandemic, affecting one in three women in their lifetime, and highlighted its significant social and economic costs. Furthermore, KPMG reports that GBVF costs South Africa between R28.4 billion and R42.4 billion annually, which amounts to 0.9% to 1.3% of the country’s GDP, with the greatest burden falling on individuals and families.
This concerted effort underscores the critical need for a comprehensive and unified response to combat GBVF, aiming to empower survivors and prevent future incidents through strategic interventions and economic empowerment.