South Africa Struggles to Protect Children in Gender Violence Crisis
Written by Black Hot Fire Network Team on January 15, 2026
South Africa has declared gender-based violence a national disaster following months of pressure from civil society groups. This declaration, made in late November, aims to expedite resource allocation for survivor services. However, child rights advocates are emphasizing the need for increased and targeted funding and action to protect children, who comprise nearly half of all sexual assault victims in the country.
Gender-Based Violence Declared a National Disaster
Tens of thousands of South Africans participated in a nationwide protest against gender-based violence and femicide in late November. The demonstration involved participants lying down for 15 minutes to symbolize the 15 women murdered daily in South Africa. Prior to the protest, President Cyril Ramaphosa classified violence against women as a “national disaster,” intending to enable faster emergency resource allocation for survivor services. Despite this declaration, activists are urging for greater prioritization of children, who represent a significant portion of sexual offense victims. Shahedah Omar, director of the Teddy Bear Clinic, stressed the urgent need for more funding and action specifically for children.
The Scope of Gender-Based Violence in South Africa
South Africa experiences some of the world’s highest levels of gender-based violence. The murder rate for women is five times higher than the global average. During the 2022-3 financial year, sexual assault cases involving children accounted for 47% of all reported cases. Young girls aged 0-17 years comprised two-thirds of all offenses directed towards children, and 90% of rape cases, according to government data. The situation has been further complicated by recent U.S. aid funding cuts, which have placed additional strain on GBV charities.
Challenges for Child Protection Organizations
Johannesburg Child Welfare (JCW), a child protection charity, has faced significant challenges due to the reduction in U.S. aid funding. Abubakr Hattas, head of JCW, explained that the organization had to adapt its GBV response and prioritize children over adult survivors when it came to the depth of care provided, including monitoring, legal support, and trauma counseling. In the 2022/23 period, there were 19,418 reported assault cases against children, with rape accounting for 38% of these incidents. Despite government priorities for improving child protection, Hattas noted that existing frameworks lack dedicated funding for children.
The “Invisible” Children and the National Strategic Plan
Activists argue that children are often overlooked in GBV campaigns and receive a disproportionately small share of funding. Shahedah Omar pointed out the absence of a seventh pillar in the National Strategic Plan (NSP), which should prioritize children. The NSP, created in collaboration with the South African government, outlines six key pillars aimed at ending violence against women by 2030. Hattas described the NSP as “so comprehensive, so well structured, so poorly implemented.”
From Crisis to Disaster: A Shift in Response
Activists distinguish between the previous declaration of GBV as a “national crisis” in 2019 and the current classification as a “national disaster.” Sabrina Walter, founder of Women for Change, emphasized that the disaster designation unlocks budgets, speeds up emergency measures, and places responsibility on the national executive to coordinate a rapid response. She stressed that tangible change must follow the declaration, requiring a detailed implementation plan with clear roles, budgets, and timelines for all government departments.
Future Steps and Government Response
Women for Change have outlined several “next steps,” including integrating GBV awareness into school curriculums, securing ring-fenced funding for survivor services and prevention work, and focusing on consent, bodily autonomy, and gender equality. The Ministry for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities stated that the focus is on improving existing systems rather than creating new policies. Despite the challenges and skepticism, civil society remains committed to advocating for the safety of children, with Walter noting the increasing involvement of children in the movement against GBV.
