The United Nations is calling for urgent action to address gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa following the deaths of several women in the East Rand.
The UN says the recent killings highlight the need for stronger accountability, improved access to justice and sustained investment in measures aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.
The call comes from the UN team in South Africa and was echoed at UN headquarters by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
The organisation said South Africa’s declaration of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster must be followed by concrete measures that deliver results.
These include ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, strengthening women’s access to justice, expanding economic empowerment initiatives and securing long-term funding and monitoring.
The UN also reaffirmed its support for South Africa’s efforts to meet its international human rights obligations and implement its national strategy on gender-based violence and femicide.
The latest call comes amid heightened concern over the deaths of women in and around Kempton Park and the wider East Rand, where police investigations into several cases are continuing.
The UN said sustained cooperation between government, communities and other stakeholders will be essential in addressing the country’s gender-based violence crisis.