Ramaphosa Yields To Pressure On Eve Of Protest, Declares GBVF National Crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national crisis, responding to growing public pressure and urgent calls for action.

The announcement came during his closing remarks at the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, where he stressed that the government must “use every means at its disposal” to tackle the escalating crisis.

‘Women Are Crying Out for Protection’ — Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa said the government and its social partners agree that extraordinary and immediate intervention is necessary.

“The women in our country are crying out that they need much more focus on the issue of gender-based violence. They need protection. They need support,” he said.

He added that men must also be part of the solution: “They need assistance, largely from their government but also from the men of South Africa.”

Nationwide Shutdown Led by Women for Change

Women across South Africa — including members of the LGBTQI+ community — have been called on to stay away from all paid and unpaid work on 21 November to demonstrate the economic and social impact of their absence.

They are also encouraged to turn their social media profiles purple, a symbol that has been widely adopted by South African women and men, including numerous celebrities, to raise awareness about GBVF.

Activist group Women for Change said the protest underscores the urgency of declaring GBVF a national disaster:

“Because until South Africa stops burying a woman every 2.5 hours, the G20 cannot speak of growth and progress.

“We demand that gender-based violence and femicide be declared a national disaster. Not tomorrow. Not at another summit. No!”

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A billboard unveiled in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit read: “Welcome to the country where women are only safe in a casket.”

‘No Society Can Thrive Under These Conditions’

Ramaphosa emphasised that societies cannot prosper while GBVF continues and women’s rights are undermined.

He stressed the importance of recognising, valuing, and compensating the economic and social contributions of women.

“No society can thrive for as long as GBVF continues and the agency of women is denied,” he said.

He warned that violence against women erodes the social fabric, constrains development, and weakens inclusive growth.

The president called on men and boys to actively challenge harmful norms and social structures that perpetuate abuse:

“They must be actively involved in challenging inherited attitudes, power imbalances and social structures that normalise violence and silence survivors.”

Ramaphosa’s declaration marks one of the strongest government acknowledgements to date that GBVF has reached national emergency status — with activists cautioning that meaningful action must now follow.

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