Deputy President Paul Mashatile has implored on all stakeholders to ensure that the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is eradicated in the country.
Mashatile was speaking at the National Launch of the16 Days of Activism for no Violence Against Women and Children campaign, held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, North West, on Monday.
“This is a national crisis that requires a national response. And I assure you, we are fully committed to taking these findings forward to build a safer, more just society for all. As part of its continuous commitment to combating the scourge, the Cabinet has approved dealing with gender-based violence and femicide as if it were a pandemic,” said Mashatile.
This year’s 16-days campaign is being held under the theme: “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children”, which builds on previous efforts to tackle the root causes of GBVF, fostering a culture of positive masculinity, gender equity, and economic empowerment for women and children.
The Deputy President cited recent GBV surveys, which painted a grim picture about the scourge in the country and ensured that government has committed to taking the findings of these surveys seriously, and they will integrate them into its work.
These findings will feed directly into the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which provides the roadmap for our national response.
Mashatile said this year’s theme, serves as a reminder of the progress government has made and the work that still lies ahead.
Despite this, he cautioned that South Africa has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence, including rape, femicide, and domestic abuse.
“These data present a bleak picture of the scope of GBV in our society. This catastrophe impacts millions of South Africans while undermining the pillars of our democracy and economic prosperity. This is not the South Africa we want! The evidence underscores the urgent need for continued efforts. Unless we are all hands-on deck, we will not realise our vision of no gender-based violence and femicide by 2030,” appealed the deputy president.
Mashatile also bemoaned the high number of child and teenage pregnancies, which continues to increase, which he described as a crisis that cannot be ignored as it continues to tear the society apart
“According to Statistics South Africa, last year’s births to teenage girls aged 10 to 19 years represented 12% of all births. In numbers, it was 102 648. These are not just numbers.
“They are young girls who should be in school, playing with their friends, dreaming about their futures, and building their hopes,” highlighted Mashatile.
He emphasized that many child pregnancies are the result of rape and sexual abuse.
Mashatile said the government has implemented concrete actions over the past years, to create a safer and more just society.
“We have passed laws that prioritise the safety of women and children, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act.
“The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill was signed into law on May 24, 2024, establishing it as an urgent priority
“We are piloting Online Applications for Protection Orders, making it easier for victims to access the legal protection they need,” said Mashatile, highlighting some of the government’s achievements in this regard.
