South African women rally against gender-based violence

Hundreds of women gathered in a Johannesburg park on Friday to protest gender-based violence. The demonstration occurred the day before the start of the Group of 20 summit.

The protest involved a 15-minute lie-down, symbolizing the 15 lives lost daily to gender-based violence in South Africa. Participants included ordinary citizens, celebrities, activists, and survivors of gender violence.

The Protest and its Significance

The demonstration, organized by the nonprofit group Women for Change, was the culmination of a month of lobbying efforts. Protestors carried placards with messages such as “Why do you hate us?” and “My body is not your crime scene.” Courtney Gelderblom, a 19-year-old protest coordinator, explained that each minute of silence represented a woman who could have been lost that day, serving as a moment to mourn and honor victims.

South Africa’s Gender-Based Violence Crisis

South Africa has a femicide rate five times higher than the global average, according to U.N. Women. The country has grappled with gender-based violence for decades. Despite a progressive agenda on gender issues during its G20 presidency, the issue remains a significant concern.

Government Response and the National Disaster Declaration

In response to the protests and ongoing pressure, the South African government declared gender-based violence a national disaster on Friday. This declaration mandates authorities to take action and dedicate resources to combat the issue. President Cyril Ramaphosa has referred to gender-based violence as a national crisis, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Impact on Global Development and Legal Frameworks

Gender violence expert Professor Corné Davis-Buitendag noted the relevance of staging the protest before the G20 summit, emphasizing that gender-based violence impacts global development and carries a significant economic cost. While South Africa has legal frameworks in place and has made changes to its laws to aid victims, Davis-Buitendag stated that the numbers of incidents are not decreasing.

The Women for Change Petition

The Women for Change petition, which garnered over a million signatures, urges South Africa’s state prosecuting body to reject bail in significant gender-based violence cases, pursue life sentences for offenders, and hold law enforcement and justice officials accountable for negligence and misconduct.

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