Latest news with #NationalStrategicPlan
TimesLIVE
05-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'Love them, give them money': KZN premier's GBV poster slammed as 'patriarchal'
A government-issued gender-based violence (GBV) awareness poster has ignited a firestorm of criticism from gender rights activists who say the message is not only tone-deaf but dangerously reinforces harmful stereotypes. The poster, issued by the office of the KwaZulu-Natal premier, featured the slogan 'Asingababulali, Asibathande, Sibaphe imali', which translates to 'Let us not kill them, let us love them, let us give them money.' Hlanganisa Community Fund for Social and Gender Justice board chair Lebo Ramafoko has condemned the messaging as patriarchal and out of touch, especially given the alarming levels of GBV in the province. 'My first reaction after 35 years of doing this work was utter disgust and disappointment at a message that comes from a government that uses public funds in a province that has one of the largest cases of GBV,' she said in an interview with eNCA. 'After so many efforts, including a National Strategic Plan (NSP) on gender-based violence that had many sector stakeholders involved, not only is it tone-deaf but it reinforces stereotypes steeped in patriarchy about masculinity. If you read the message, it looks like it is directed at men, telling them to love women and give them money,' said Ramafoko. 'The *imali* (money) part mostly leads to abuse. It gives some men the impression that if I provide for her, she is my commodity. This vanity cannot be encouraged. The premier misread the room temperature on this one. This is a clear manifestation that our politicians are out of touch with reality,' wrote Lindile KaPhumelele Tshangisa Stuurman on Facebook. Another user, Nkanyiso Ngcobo, commented: 'Politicians are not in touch with the real societal issues. They just say things to grab public attention. This poster is dividing society and fuelling GBV.' Amid the widespread backlash, the premier's office removed the controversial poster from its official social media pages. The controversy comes at a time when KwaZulu-Natal continues to face alarming gender-based violence and femicide (GBV-F) statistics. The province has the highest rate of GBV-F incidents in South Africa, with cases ranging from domestic violence to femicide and sexual assault. During the provincial launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign last year, premier Thami Ntuli acknowledged the crisis. He revealed that the province has the fourth-highest ratio of rape cases at 17.3%, according to the police minister's second-quarter crime statistics for 2024. Speaking at the campaign's launch Ntuli noted that the province recorded 175 rape cases, 23 sexual assaults and 1,272 cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, all classified as domestic violence-related crimes. Some of these incidents occurred in educational settings: one at a crèche, 13 in schools and four at tertiary institutions. Ntuli said the campaign aims to tackle the root causes of GBV-F by promoting positive masculinity, advancing gender equity and creating economic opportunities for women and children. However, critics argue that the now-deleted poster undermines these very goals. 'This poster sends the wrong message,' said one activist. 'It reduces the solution to GBV to affection and financial provision, rather than addressing the deeper structural, cultural and economic inequalities that fuel it.'
The South African
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Expats in London to stage protest against GBV in South Africa
Operation Watershed, a civil society initiative mobilising South Africans abroad, will stage a protest in Trafalgar Square, London, on Saturday, 26 April 2025, in solidarity with the Justice for CweCwe movement and in unequivocal condemnation of the escalating gender-based violence (GBV) crisis in South Africa. The demonstration calls for urgent, decisive action from the South African government and international attention to what has become one of the country's most pervasive human rights violations. The protest was catalysed by the recent, horrific case of Cwecwe , a seven-year-old girl who was reportedly raped – a crime that has shocked the nation, resulting in large protests across major cities, and reigniting urgent demands for GBV to be declared a national emergency. Her name joins a growing list of victims whose pain continues to expose the systemic failures in South Africa's approach to gender-based violence. Despite the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF in 2020, South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman or child. Between July and September 2024, there were 13 283 sexual offences reported, including 10 590 rapes. These numbers do not reflect the full extent of the crisis, with estimates suggesting that up to 95% of sexual assaults are never reported, often due to fear, stigma, and a lack of trust in the justice system. 'The government is failing GBV survivors through underfunded and insufficient access to services, a justice system that rarely delivers, and a police and healthcare response that often fails to support or protect them,' said Elias Mtshweni, one of diaspora mobilisers. Operation Watershed are in full support of the call for Gender Based Violence and Femicide to be declared a national emergency. The situation is dire. In the 2023/2024 period, South Africa recorded the murders of 5 578 women, with a 33.8% increase in femicide, according to advocacy group Women for Change. Between April 2023 and March 2024, an average of 117 rapes were reported each day. For comparison, murder statistics stood at 72 per day – a stark indication of the extreme and disproportionate violence faced by women and girls. Earlier this month, on 11 April 2025, Women for Change led a mass march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, delivering a memorandum and petition signed by over 150 000 people, calling for immediate action and accountability from the South African government. Operation Watershed's demonstration is aligned with these demands and aims to amplify the voices of the countless survivors and advocates across South Africa and the diaspora. Activist and event organiser, Nomonde Joya said, 'There is an urgent need for a comprehensive and systemic action plan to protect the most vulnerable; beginning with children who are often the first to suffer the devastating, life altering consequences of this tragedy, robbed of their innocence far too soon.' The demonstration is being supported by members of the South African diaspora in the United Kingdom and has already garnered backing from political parties within South Africa. Protest organisers are working collaboratively with politicians, civil society organisations, advocacy groups, and charitable foundations – both in South Africa and internationally – to develop a comprehensive memorandum. This document will outline urgent demands, including the strengthened enforcement of GBV legislation, increased and sustained funding for survivor support services, mandatory specialised training for police and healthcare personnel, and the formal declaration of gender-based violence as a national state of disaster. Organisers are committed to ensuring that the process is inclusive and representative of diverse voices and lived experiences. They are actively engaging with Members of Parliament in advance of the memorandum's submission to the National Government. This initiative serves not only as a call to action for policymakers, but also as a powerful reminder to all South Africans – at home and abroad – of their collective responsibility to hold elected leaders accountable and to demand justice, protection, and dignity for all. 'As Freedom Day approaches, we must confront the harsh truth: there is no real freedom while women and children live under the constant threat of violence. This is not only a gender issue – it is a national moral failure,' emphasised Hayley Reichert, founder of Operation Watershed. Members of the public are urged to attend the protest at Trafalgar Square on 26 April at 10:30. Bring your voice, your presence, and your unwavering demand for justice. We are facing a national emergency – silence is complicity, and inaction costs lives. Now is the time to rise, silence is no longer an option. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Government launches 90-day blitz to crush Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster Ministers and senior officials convened a special sitting on Monday, 14 April 2025, under the leadership of Cluster Co-Chairs, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. This urgent meeting was convened in response to the alarming surge in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) incidents across the country. It culminated in the adoption of a 90-day acceleration programme to intensify the national response and fast-track the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. Recognising the gravity of the crisis, the Cluster resolved to revitalise and urgently reconstitute the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on GBVF, with a formal request to the President for its re-establishment under the 7th Administration. The IMC's inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place within two weeks. It will serve as the central coordinating mechanism to expedite government interventions, resolve systemic bottlenecks, and ensure measurable progress. A dedicated GBVF Priority Committee will also be established within the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), co-chaired by the Departments of Social Development and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. This structure aims to improve the coordination of frontline security and protection interventions. Acknowledging the inadequacy of relying solely on the national government for local-level interventions, the Cluster directed the revitalisation of JCPS structures across all provinces. Provincial JCPS Committees, comprising security cluster executives and senior officials, will be established to drive targeted and localised implementation of GBVF interventions. The Cluster further directed the activation of government machinery at the grassroots level, with a strong emphasis on community mobilisation and the involvement of local structures in the fight against GBVF. To address inefficiencies within the criminal justice value chain, a team of senior officials has been tasked with aligning police, prosecutorial, and correctional services systems to eliminate delays in GBVF case processing. Departments have also been instructed to identify critical institutional gaps and propose actionable, time-bound measures. The meeting mandated the consolidation of GBVF-related statistics across the JCPS value chain, from arrest, prosecution, conviction to incarceration, into a single integrated report. This report, along with each department's intervention points, will be submitted to the IMC. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has been instructed to coordinate a national webinar on GBVF, led by government experts, and to deliver targeted communication training to officials. The training will focus on ensuring message alignment and professional public engagement. The Cluster also resolved to prioritise the accelerated rollout of Thuthuzela Care Centres across all provinces to provide holistic, survivor-centred support services. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was specifically tasked with urgently addressing the repair and maintenance of SOS systems in court facilities. This is aimed at enhancing safety for survivors and witnesses, especially minors, and ensuring the prevention of secondary victimisation. Further, the meeting underscored the need to rebuild the social fabric of society, particularly the family unit, as a foundational step in the long-term prevention of GBVF. Departments were directed to develop results-driven action plans with clear timelines, defined target communities, and measurable outcomes. To strengthen the National Council on GBVF, departments will propose sustainable funding models and nominate board members at Deputy Director-General level or higher to reinforce institutional capacity. The meeting further resolved to intensify training across the Cluster on the revised legislation, regulations, and guidelines for handling GBVF cases. In addition, concern was raised about the growing number of children arrested for sexual offences, prompting a directive for NATJOINTS to develop an appropriate and urgent response to this emerging crisis. Importantly, the Cluster affirmed the need to reclaim the national narrative on GBVF and broader security matters, ensuring that government, not external actors, leads public discourse on these issues. This 90-day blitz marks not only a declaration of intent but the beginning of a coordinated, government-wide campaign to end GBVF. Implementation began immediately following the meeting, and the Co-Chairs emphasised that incremental change is no longer sufficient. Government enters this period with full force, calling on every organ of state and sector of society to play an active, decisive role in eradicating GBVF. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa - Men as allies: Youth dialogue tackles patriarchal masculinities for gender equality
On 27 March 2025, UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office, in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology, and the Departments of Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities, hosted a dialogue on 'Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities for a Gender-Equal World' for 150 young people. The dialogue, which took place in Pretoria, brought together students from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVETs), and high schools from South Africa's Gauteng Province. The dialogue, supported by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, was convened to compile youth recommendations for the upcoming Women Empowerment Ministerial Working Group (W20) meeting to be held later this year as part of the support to South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025. One of the pillars of South Africa's National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) served as the basis for the dialogue. Pillar 2 of the NSP on GBVF focuses on unlearning toxic masculinities and embracing alternative positive forms of masculinity. This was seen as a key strategy in a country where more than one-third of women have been subjected to violence at least once in their lifetime. "Engaging young men and boys as allies in gender equality is critical for addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and patriarchy in our society," said Aleta Miller, UN Women Representative for the South Africa Multi-Country Office. "The dialogue creates a valuable platform to amplify the voices of young people to influence global policy discussions on gender equality through South Africa's G20 Presidency." Civil society organizations, government stakeholders, youth representatives, women's movements, academic institutions, and the private sector discussed how positive, respectful, and inclusive behaviors that promote accountability can help to transform harmful social norms and prevent violence. The dialogue began with reflections UN South Africa Resident Coordinator Nelson Muffuh and Advocate Joyce Maluleke who provided opening remarks before the keynote presentations. Two impactful presentations were delivered by Professor Langa Malose from Wits University and Rahul Gandhi from the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies. Both shared their experiences to explain how their views about masculinity and its effects on society were shaped. These were followed by two engaging panel discussions that explored ways for men and boys to serve as successful allies in gender equality promotion and gender-based violence prevention. Sibulele Poswayo from W20 South Africa and Nkere Skosana from the Department of Social Development, along with Precious Banda from Young Women of Africa, Kabelo Chabala of Primestars, Thabo Limema from Absa, and Andiswa Mthembu ofYoung Women for Life, participated in direct discussions with youth participants to create open dialogue about these essential matters. For Gomolemo Mokemane, a TUT student, the workshop was 'very enlightening' because it allowed him to hear different opinions from different stakeholders on gender-based violence. 'From attending this dialogue, I walk away with the firm belief that women should be treated as equals and not as competitors or subordinates, that we are all human beings first and foremost and not men and women, and that if we embraced Ubuntu (our shared humanity and interconnectedness), many of our problems would be solved,' Nhlanhla Ditire also gave his view on gender equality: 'To make the world gender equal, men must learn that they have to respect and protect women from a young age. I was nine years old when I lost both my parents, but I told myself that I would never raise my hand on a woman.' Nhlanhla also emphasized the importance of emotional health and saying, 'When men get angry, it's good to cry it out; crying does not mean that you are weak. Get help, get therapy. Don't break the law." The discussions concluded with selected representative reading out commitments to gender equality that they believe leaders should consider and adopt in their policies for action towards a gender-equal world. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Angola develops a strategic plan to eradicate Guinea worm disease
In a concerted effort led by the Ministry of Health and supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Angola has outlined a comprehensive strategy to eradicate Guinea worm disease (GWD). This initiative, which involves public and private institutions, national and international organizations, and civil society, aims to protect the Angolan population from this debilitating disease. Between 2018 and 2024, Angola reported 136 cases of dracunculiasis, including 3 in humans and 133 in animals (dogs), all in the province of Cunene during the transmission period from January to May. In 2025, provisional infections in animals increased, with 52 cases reported, of which 19 were confirmed and 33 were waiting for laboratory results between 1 January and 15 March, compared to 24 confirmed infections in animals in 2024. Dr. Nzuzi Katondi, responsible for the WHO's Neglected Diseases area in Angola, stressed the importance of the National Strategic Plan for eradicating dracunculiasis. 'This guiding document, the result of extensive consultation and coordination with partners, will accelerate efforts to certify Angola as a dracunculiasis-free country by 2030,' said Dr Katondi. 'Despite the inherent challenges, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) can be controlled, eliminated, and eradicated. This plan, in light of the global goal of eradicating drancuculosis by 2030, offers an opportunity for the government to step up its actions to eliminate dracunculiasis nationwide by 2030 and reduce the burden of this disease, which severely affects vulnerable populations and perpetuates the cycle of poverty,' added Dr. Katondi. The strategy centers on five key interventions, namely surveillance, interruption of transmission including wash, cross border and one health, communication and community involvement, governance and advocacy, and support for fieldwork. These initiatives underline Angola's commitment to eradicating NTDs and improving public health. In 2024, the WHO, in collaboration with Carter Center, supported Angola's efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis by treating 87 eligible water points in Namacunde and Cuanhama with Abate®, distributing 38,528 water filters to more than 6,389 families and achieving an investigation response rate of 77.5% to human and animal rumors within 24 hours. In addition, community-based surveillance and sensitisation efforts reached more than 43,683 community members. Guinea worm disease, caused by the parasite *Dracunculus medinensis*, is transmitted mainly through the consumption of contaminated water. Angola is one of five countries that have yet to eradicate this disease, which negatively affects human and animal health, reduces productivity, and increases vulnerability. Angola's commitment to eliminating NTDs aligns with its dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030. The successful implementation of the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for the Eradication of Dracunculiasis 2025-2030 is expected to produce significant health benefits and increase the well-being of the Angolan population. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
