GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE and femicide (GBVF) have officially been classified as a national disaster following mounting public pressure and a wave of protests across the country. The announcement comes just a day before the G20 Leaders Summit with government citing the urgent need to address the escalating crisis.
The classification was confirmed by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa who said the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) had formalised the declaration. This follows a nationwide shutdown led by advocacy group Women for Change on Friday, November 21 calling for decisive government action against GBVF.
Hlabisa welcomed the move by NDMC head Dr Bongani Elias Sithole who invoked Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) to effect the classification.
“This decisive action follows a thorough reassessment of previous reports and updated submissions from organs of state as well as civil organisations” Hlabisa said.
He added “After evaluating the persistent and immediate life-safety risks posed by ongoing acts of violence the NDMC has concluded that GBVF now meets the threshold of a potential disaster as defined in the Act”
The classification places the responsibility for coordinating and managing the national disaster on the National Executive in line with Sections 23 and 26 of the Act. This will be done using existing legislation and contingency arrangements already in place.
All organs of state have been called upon to bolster their support for GBVF response structures activate contingency plans and ensure that mechanisms are in place for effective disaster management. Section 22 of the Act also urges the private sector communities and individuals to intensify prevention and risk-reduction efforts by implementing GBVF-related standards procedures and laws.
“Individuals are strongly encouraged to refrain from any acts of gender-based violence or femicide” Hlabisa said.
National provincial and municipal authorities have been advised to roll out multisectoral prevention mitigation relief and rehabilitation plans to address the crisis holistically. Hlabisa stressed that the classification does not trigger emergency powers but rather reinforces existing systems and aligns with key initiatives already underway.
These include the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management the NATJOINTS Priority Committee the 90-Day GBVF Acceleration Programme the expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres the strengthening of sexual offences courts and reforms to the criminal justice system.
All affected organs of state are required to submit progress reports to the NDMC under Section 24 enabling oversight of interventions by government departments municipalities NGOs and communities.
The notice also outlines the conditions under which the classification may be revoked. If a national state of disaster is not declared the classification will be lifted once GBVF no longer meets the criteria of a disaster under the Act. Should a national state of disaster be declared the classification will automatically lapse when that declaration ends in accordance with Section 27(5).
“This effort pulls together every sphere of government and every critical sector — policing social development justice health education economic development and traditional leadership” Hlabisa said “Above all it confirms a fundamental truth — GBVF is not a women’s issue. It is a national crisis”
The announcement follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks at the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg on Thursday where he acknowledged the severity of the issue.
“We are now going to classify gender-based violence and femicide as a crisis a crisis that needs to be addressed” Ramaphosa said.
He added “They need protection support and assistance — from their government and from the men of South Africa”
Ramaphosa said all social partners agreed that “extraordinary and concerted action” is needed to end the crisis. “The collective perspectives expressed at this summit will enable governments and decision-makers to better understand people’s lived experiences — what works what doesn’t and what must change”
The classification comes amid growing pressure from civil society. Women for Change spearheaded the November 21 shutdown demanding urgent action on GBVF. Civic organisations including Operation Dudula also announced plans to protest during the G20 Summit with movement leader Zandile Dabula stating that demonstrations would be peaceful and aimed at highlighting broader issues such as poverty and unemployment.
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