16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children

16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children 25 November - 10 December

The Global 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign to raise awareness of and challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from the 25th November, the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December. The Campaign highlights the negative impact that violence and abuse has on women and children and aims to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

GBV is a public health concern and human rights violation. GBV is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender and power inequality between women and men, and continues to be one of the most significant human rights violations across societies. GBV is directed against a person on the basis of their gender, and while both women and men experience GBV, the majority of victims are women and girls.

GBV is defined as any harmful act based on socially ascribed gender roles and power differences between males and females and includes physical, sexual and mental harm, threats, coercion and deprivation of liberty.

At least 7 million women in South Africa have experienced physical violence and more than 2 million have experienced sexual abuse. Between 25% and 40% of South African women have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Between April 2022 and March 2023, 53 498 sexual offences were reported to the South African Police Service, with 42,780 of those cases being rape.

Causes of Violence Against Women and Children

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described GBV as South Africa’s ‘second pandemic’. GBV is a complex issue with various contributing factors which include:

Patriarchy: Gendered power inequality which is rooted in patriarchy is a primary cause of GBV.

Social and Cultural factors: This involves patriarchal and sexist views, gender stereotypes and certain societal expectations on gender norms which vary across cultures, ethnic groups and societies.

Economic factors: A lack of economic resources, high unemployment rates and a lack of social and community services.

Legal factors: Women have often felt that the legal system has failed them and that South Africa has effective legislation in place, but implementation of GBV policies and legislation remains an issue.

GBV can take various forms which include:

•Sexual violence

•Physical violence

•Verbal violence

•Psychological violence

•Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) which is also known as domestic violence.

The National Strategic Plan on GBVF is the government’s comprehensive strategy for tackling all forms of violence and abuse against women and children. Since the launch of the Strategic Plan in 2020, several new interventions have been implemented. R21 billion has been dedicated to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.

•Extensive legal reform

•Support for survivors through the provision of evidence kits at police stations

•Psychological and social services

•The GBVF Response Fund

•Support for Thuthuzela and Khuseleka Care Centres, which provide vital services for GBV victims/survivors.

Read more about the NSP here: and the various programmes in place here:

Legislation to combat GBV

Government has introduced new laws to protect women and children in South Africa from abuse and violence. The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill was signed into law on 24 May 2024 and is critical to ensuring the safety and protection of women and children from abuse and violence. Recently, the President proclaimed that the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (Act No.9 of 2024) came into operation on 15 November 2024. The new legislation has established a council as a statutory body to provide strategic leadership in the fight against GBV and Femicide in South Africa. The council will draw on the expertise of all stakeholders including civil society, labour and business, to further strengthen national efforts to combat gender-based violence by using a more inclusive, focused and better-resourced approach.

Other domestic violence legislation includes:

• The Domestic Violence Act of 1998-

• The Children’s Act of 2005

• The Maintenance Act of 1998

• The Promotion of Equity and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000

• The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act) Amendment Act of 2007

Other GBV initiatives

GBV Desks at police stations: GBV desks are staffed by police officers who are specifically trained to provide victim-centred support and assistance. As of 2024, there are 134 GBV desks in operation across the country. The SAPS also has 185 Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units.

Thuthuzela Care Centres: TCCs are a one-stop facility introduced as part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy and aims to reduce the prevalence of secondary victimization and improve conviction rates. TCCs are located within hospitals and consist of a multi-disciplinary team which includes the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), The Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, Health Professionals and SAPS.

When reporting to SAPS, the rape victim is taken to a more victim-friendly environment before being transported by police to the TCC at a hospital.

Useful National contacts:

SAPS Crime Stop Tel: 08600 10111

Gender -Based Violence Command Centre Tel: 0800 428 428

Stop Gender Violence Helpline Tel: 0800 150 150 sms 1207867# from any cell phone

Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA) Tel: (011) 975 7107

Childline Tel: 08000 55 555

National Crisis Line Tel: 086 132 2322

SA National Council for Child Welfare Tel: 011 339 5741

GBV Helpline 0800 428 428 SMS 31531

TEARS (TEARS Foundation is responsible for the sourcing and collating of a database comprised of a fully comprehensive network of services; medical, medico-legal,legal and psychological, currently availabe throughout South Africa for the assistance and support of survivors of rape and sexual abuse).

24/7 free Emergency helpline: 0800 083 277 Email: [email protected]

Key dates to observe in this period:

• 25 November: International Day of No Violence Against Women

• 29 November: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

• 1 December: World Aids Day

• 3 December: International Day for the Disabled

• 10 December: International Human Rights Day