27 November 2024: “As South Africa marks the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, those of us working in shelters are regularly confronted by harrowing stories of survivors who have endured violence at the hands of intimate partners,” says the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA). “In a country where three women are killed by intimate partners every day, the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is not just a crisis, it is a national emergency. And with recent crime statistics revealing a rise in murders of women, this campaign must be more than symbolic. It must reignite the urgency to dismantle systemic roots of violence, such as inequality and patriarchy, and foster a society rooted in dignity, respect, and safety for all.”
The NSMSA asserts that this year’s 16 Days of Activism must serve as a clarion call to address systemic failures in prevention and justice. Highlighting a concerning report from the South African Medical Research Council (MRC), which reveals a troubling decline in the identification of perpetrators of femicide, in recent years (from 70% to 56%). “It is alarming that nearly half of all femicide cases remain unsolved, especially when intimate partner femicide is the leading cause of female homicide in South Africa,” says NSMSA. “And when we consider that, over the past two decades, more than 10,000 women have been killed in acts of femicide, how many of these perpetrators are still free and remain a risk to other women?”
While the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF is widely regarded as a crucial framework for tackling this “second pandemic,” its implementation has been insufficient, often due to funding. The NSMSA supports the Portfolio Committee on Social Development’s demand for accountability and progress updates on the NSP and calls for the urgent finalisation of the National Integrated Strategy on the Prevention of Femicide.
“The lack of a national strategy on femicide undermines efforts to combat this crisis,” says NSMSA. “It also highlights broader concerns about inadequate collaboration among stakeholders tasked with implementing the NSP. Survivors are often forced to navigate an under-resourced system, compounding their trauma. These failings expose a glaring gap between policy and practice and shows how countless women are left vulnerable to violence and death.”
The NSMSA highlights multiple barriers faced by survivors on their path to safety and recovery, from underfunded shelters to systemic failures in law enforcement, healthcare, and the justice system. “While the NSP is a vital framework, it has thus far been ineffective because it is not fully implemented, with all the necessary mechanisms established to support stakeholders working to ensure that survivors receive services with dignity and respect. Policies alone will not save lives. Collaborative committed implementation is needed to bridge the gap between strategy and reality,” says NSMSA.
This gap between policy and practice is starkly evident in the implementation of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, enacted in May 2024. “Despite its potential, this legislation has had little real impact on survivors or the shelters that support them,” says NSMSA. “Shelters remain underfunded and overstretched, unable to meet the growing demand for safe spaces. Without translating legislation into meaningful consultations, resources and systemic reforms, the council risks becoming another bureaucratic structure, disconnected from the lives of those it seeks to protect.”
The organisation also calls for a deeper focus on societal norms that perpetuate GBVF. “Addressing patriarchy and harmful social attitudes requires meaningful community engagement, particularly involving men and boys. Without tackling these root causes, efforts to end GBVF will remain incomplete. South Africa cannot continue to lose three women daily to intimate partner violence. Decisive, unified action is needed to dismantle the norms that allow this violence to persist,” says NSMSA.
The NSMSA remains steadfast in its mission to support shelters that provide survivors with safe spaces to recover and get access to justice. “It is important that survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. This is why we continue addressing systemic challenges like underfunding, poor coordination, and inadequate data collection because these are crucial to prevent further victimisation. However, this will take a coordinated effort that involves civil society, businesses, government, and individuals to hold perpetrators accountable, to strengthen prevention programmes, and ensure that survivors receive the resources needed to rebuild their lives,” concludes NSMSA.
The NSMSA’s National GBV Shelter Helpline helps victims and survivors access all GBV-related services. Call toll-free from a landline or Telkom mobile on 0800 001 005 or dial 112 from a Vodacom or Cell C phone or send a WhatsApp or PleaseCallMe to 082 057 8600 / 082 058 2215 / 072 230 7147 or send an email to infohelpline@nationalsm.org.za. * Please include this information on your websites, intranets and social media platforms.
To donate to the NSMSA, visit www.nsmsa.org.za/donate.
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