What's happened
South Africans staged a nationwide protest against gender-based violence and femicide, coinciding with the G20 summit. The government declared gender violence a national disaster after protests demanding action, highlighting the ongoing crisis despite legal frameworks and law changes.
What's behind the headline?
The protest underscores the disconnect between legal measures and actual enforcement in South Africa. While laws have been improved to facilitate victim testimony and prosecute offenders, the femicide rate remains alarmingly high, indicating systemic failures. The timing of the protest, just before the G20 summit, strategically aims to elevate gender violence on the global agenda, recognizing its economic and social toll. The declaration of a national disaster signals political acknowledgment but raises questions about the government's capacity and will to implement effective solutions. The involvement of survivors and widespread civil society participation highlight the deep-rooted cultural issues fueling GBVF, which legal reforms alone cannot resolve. Moving forward, sustained pressure on authorities to prioritize enforcement, alongside cultural change, will be essential to curb this crisis.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the protest involved a minute of silence for victims and was organized by Women for Change, which gathered over a million signatures demanding action. The government’s declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster was a direct response to these protests. All Africa highlights President Ramaphosa’s emphasis on the issue at the G20 summit, framing it as a national crisis impacting development. The coverage underscores the gap between legal frameworks and persistent violence, with experts like Professor Corné Davis-Buitendag emphasizing the economic and societal costs, including rising child sex trafficking. Contrasting perspectives suggest that while legal reforms are in place, enforcement remains weak, and cultural attitudes continue to hinder progress. The protests serve as a reminder that legal measures must be complemented by societal change to effectively address GBVF.
How we got here
South Africa faces a persistent femicide rate five times the global average, with over 15 women killed daily and 115 rapes reported each day. Activists organized a protest involving a minute of silence for victims, demanding government action. The protest coincided with the G20 summit, where President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the crisis and declared gender-based violence a national disaster. Despite legal reforms, the numbers remain high, prompting calls for stricter prosecution and accountability.
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Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African politician and the fifth and current President of South Africa. Previously an anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader and businessman, Ramaphosa served as the Deputy President of South Africa from 2014 to 20