Women’s rights organisations in South Africa are mobilising a nationwide protest to demand that gender-based violence (GBV) be declared a national disaster amid soaring attacks on women.
The campaign, which began as a viral social media movement, will culminate in a countrywide shutdown on Friday a day before global leaders arrive in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit. Supporters, including celebrities and international allies, have changed their profile pictures to purple, a colour associated with the fight against GBV.
South Africa consistently records some of the highest levels of violence against women in the world. According to UN Women, the femicide rate is five times the global average. Official crime data shows that between January and March alone, 137 women were murdered and more than 1,000 raped.
Women are being urged to stay home from work and school, “withdraw from the economy for one day,” and lie down for 15 minutes at noon to honour victims of femicide. Protesters are also encouraged to wear black in mourning and resistance. The action is being led by advocacy group Women for Change, which has also organised an online petition now signed by over one million people.
However, the National Disaster Management Centre has rejected calls to label GBV a national disaster, arguing that it does not meet legal criteria. President Cyril Ramaphosa told the G20 Social Summit that South Africa declared GBV and femicide a national crisis in 2019 but campaigners insist little progress has followed.
“There are so many beautiful acts and legislations,” said Women for Change spokesperson Cameron Kasambala, “but we struggle with implementation and transparency. We’ve integrated violence into our social norms.”
She argued that stronger political action would shift the country’s response: “Once the government truly reacts, we’ll already start seeing change on the ground.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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