MIL Africa Engine

President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his weekly newsletter to bemoan the country’s persistently high levels of violence against women and children, warning that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) now amounts to a national disaster requiring exceptional measures.  

As South Africa marks the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, the President’s newsletter underscores the scale of the crisis and outlines government’s intensified response after officially declaring GBVF a national disaster last month. 

“As South Africa and the world observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from 25 November to 10 December, it is a shame that our country has the dubious distinction of having one of the world’s highest levels of violence against women and girls,” the President said. 

According to data from the HSRC’s National GBV Study (2022), more than 35% of women over 18 have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with most cases committed by intimate partners. The report, he said, provides the baseline needed to drive the country’s long-term response to GBVF through the National Strategic Plan adopted after the 2018 Presidential Summit. 

Reflecting on the long-term effects of gender-based violence, President Ramaphosa said the impact is “arguably even more corrosive” than the devastation caused by COVID-19.

“Gender-based violence destroys families, has an economic cost, causes instability and fear for women and girls, and reproduces inter-generational trauma,” he wrote.

He said classifying GBVF as a national disaster strengthens the mandates of key departments, including Police, Justice, Social Development, Health and Basic Education, to scale up survivor support, expand shelters and safe spaces, and fast-track emergency resource allocation.

All organs of state are now required to submit progress reports to the National Disaster Management Centre.

The President highlighted recent briefings to Parliament’s Multiparty Women’s Caucus, where the SAPS and the Department of Justice reported steps taken to improve case management and strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to GBVF.

These include:

• Expansion of victim-friendly facilities and specialised GBV desks at police stations
• Establishment of a GBVF Information Centre at SAPS Academy Pretoria
• Faster evidence processing and improved collaboration between SAPS and the NPA
• A new 24-hour service for obtaining protection orders
• Progress on anti-GBV legislation signed into law in 2022, including stronger sexual offences registers and more specialised courts

Despite this, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that implementation of the National Strategic Plan has been “uneven”, saying the disaster classification would help speed up funding flows for survivor services and improve access to justice. 

Men are central to the solution

President Ramaphosa again emphasised that men must play a leading role in prevention efforts, echoing remarks he made during the Men’s Indaba in the Free State last week.

“Unless we directly engage men, we will continue to have marches, hold protests and conduct social media campaigns, but the statistics will not change. Even as men are the main perpetrators of GBVF, they are also part of the solution,” he said. 

The President called for a nationwide, sustained programme of dialogues with men and boys to confront the drivers of violence including toxic masculinity, harmful cultural norms, peer pressure and socialisation.

President Ramaphosa further stressed that combating GBVF requires a whole-of-society response. 

“A national disaster demands national responsibility. Whether as communities, civil society, government, faith leaders, business, unions or citizens, we must all play our part,” he said. 

He urged South Africans to report abuse rather than “look away”, and to actively dismantle the attitudes that enable violence.

“The safety and security of women and children is everybody’s business. Let us continue to work together to realise a society free from gender-based violence and femicide,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

141 views

A comprehensive study which will shed light on the persistent challenges and opportunities for positive change in addressing HIV stigma and discrimination in South Africa, is expected to be launched on Tuesday.

The HIV Stigma Index 2.0 report highlights the experiences of over 5 000 participants from all nine provinces of South Africa, with a focus on 18 districts, both urban and rural. 

It also emphasises the importance of community-led initiatives and the need for a multisectoral approach to address stigma and discrimination. The findings and recommendations will inform policy and programming to improve the lives of people living with HIV.

The report will be launched at the National Research Foundation (NRF) by the People Living with HIV sector, led by the National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPWA), in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and international partners.

The launch will bring together key stakeholders, including the Department of Health, civil society organisations, and people living with HIV, to discuss the findings and recommendations.

During last week’s World AIDS Day commemoration, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the introduction of lenacapavir, a long-acting preventative treatment, will empower adolescent girls navigating relationships marked by power imbalances and protect key populations who face stigma and discrimination.

Lenacapavir is a revolutionary long-acting injectable drug that offers six months of protection and requires only two injections per year. 

In October this year, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) achieved regulatory readiness, making it the first in Africa and the third globally to register lenacapavir.

The Deputy President called on South Africa to confront HIV stigma with courage, fund research, and ensure treatment reaches everyone. 

He said government was working around the clock to implement policies that improve access, retention, and re-engagement with treatment.

This includes policies that directly address structural inequalities and work to dismantle stigma, particularly for the most vulnerable individuals, such as women and girls, people who use drugs, sex workers, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and other identities (LGBTQIA+) community. – SAnews.gov.za
 

57 views

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has raised the alarm on the escalating levels of gun violence in the province.

This after a mass shooting in Tshwane over the weekend and the murder of a witness of the Madlanga Commission.

“The…Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is gravely concerned by the escalating levels of gun violence that continue to turn communities across the province into everyday crime scenes.

“The recent mass shooting in Saulsville, Pretoria, is yet another tragic reminder of the urgent need to rid our streets of illegal firearms,” the committee said in a statement.

At least 11 people died during the mass shooting with 14 others injured.

“Even more distressing is the fact that among the deceased are three minors and women, whose lives were cut short in a senseless act of brutality. The committee conveys its heartfelt condolences to the affected families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

“This tragic incident highlights a deeply concerning trend in which illegal guns continue to circulate freely within communities, enabling deadly attacks that devastate families and compromise the safety of citizens.

“The committee views this event as a serious call for concern and reaffirms its commitment to intensifying efforts towards advocating for and achieving a gun-free Gauteng,” the statement said.

The committee expressed shock at the “disturbing development” where a witness in the Madlanga Commission was murdered on Friday.

“Reports indicate that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the attack, once again demonstrating how high-calibre weapons are being used to commit violent crimes with impunity.

“Witness D was gunned down outside his home, an incident that highlights the critical need to remove illegal firearms from our streets,” the statement read.

The committee called on law enforcement to ensure that “perpetrators behind these heinous crimes are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice”.

“The committee also urged community members to cooperate fully with the police to aid in the urgent arrest of the three suspects linked to the Saulsville shooting.

“The committee maintains that the proliferation of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all people living in Gauteng.

“Only through strong partnerships between communities, law enforcement and government can we begin to dismantle the networks responsible for supplying and using these deadly weapons,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

57 views

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has reiterated the call for greater investment in psychosocial services as South Africa confronts an escalating suicide crisis, one of the most severe on the continent.

The call comes as South Africa’s suicide rate stands at approximately 23.5 deaths per 100 000 people, placing the country among the highest in Africa.

According to data from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29.

Studies further show that nearly one in five learners has attempted suicide at least once, with many more reporting persistent sadness, depression, hopelessness, trauma, bullying, and the emotional impact linked to socio-economic hardship.

Young people with disabilities face heightened vulnerability due to persistent stigma, social exclusion, and limited access to appropriate support services.

In a statement on Sunday, the DWYPD expressed deep concern over the escalating rates of suicide among young people, emphasising that “suicide is preventable” when timely support is available.

“Protecting the mental well-being of young people requires a society-wide commitment. Families, schools, government departments, faith-based organisations, youth formations, and communities must collectively create safe, supportive environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued,” the department said.
The department called for coordinated action across several priority areas, including: 
•    Expanded access to mental health support within schools, communities, and youth-serving institutions.
•      Strengthened early intervention systems to identify warning signs before crises occur.
•     Community – driven awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around mental illness and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
•    Support for families and caregivers, equipping them to respond compassionately and effectively.

The department also urged the public to remain alert to symptoms of emotional distress among young people, such as withdrawal, sudden changes in behaviour, expressions of hopelessness, substance abuse, and talk of self-harm.

“Early intervention is critical—and can save lives. A reminder to all young people that help is available, and they can reach out.”
Reaffirming its commitment to advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of South Africa’s youth, the department stressed that preventing suicide requires shared responsibility.
“Together, we can safeguard the mental well-being of our young people and build a society where every youth has hope, opportunity, and support,” it said.

Anyone experiencing emotional distress or in need of immediate assistance is encouraged to contact the SADAG Suicide Crisis Line at 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. – SAnews.gov.za

 

57 views