South African women rally against gender-based violence

Hundreds of women gathered in a Johannesburg park on Friday to demonstrate against violence against women in South Africa. The protest occurred ahead of the G20 summit taking place this weekend.

Demonstrators participated in a silent lie-down protest, symbolizing the daily loss of life due to gender-based violence.

Femicide Rates and Historical Context

South Africa has a femicide rate five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women. The country has been grappling with the issue for decades. Statistics indicate that 15 women die daily at the hands of gender-based violence and femicide.

The Silent Protest

Protest coordinator Courtney Gelderblom explained that the 15-minute silent lie-down represented a minute of silence for each woman lost within a day. Participants included ordinary South Africans, celebrities, and activists across several cities. Survivors of gender violence were also present, with some visibly emotional during the demonstration. Placards displayed messages such as “Why do you hate us?” and “My body is not your crime scene.”

Social Media Support

Many South Africans voiced their support for the cause on social media. Grammy-award winning singer Tyla was among those who changed their profile picture to purple, a color symbolizing women’s rights.

Government Response and Petition

The protest was organized by the nonprofit group Women for Change, following a month of lobbying efforts. A petition calling for government action garnered over a million signatures. In response to the widespread concern, the South African government declared gender-based violence a national disaster on Friday. This declaration mandates authorities to take action and allocate resources to address the issue.

Presidential Statement

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the issue at a G20 sideline summit for civil society this week, referring to gender-based violence as a national crisis and acknowledging the urgent need for increased focus on the problem.