JOHANNESBURG - Advocacy group Women 4 Change has welcomed the decision by government to declare gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster.
On Friday protests were held across the country; a 15-minute silent protest against violence against women and children.
Activists say they’re hoping that there will be a time when taking to the streets is not the only way the government understands their pain.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa, issued the classification notice on Friday.
Hlabisa said all spheres of government would be activated in opposing the scourge of violence against women and children.
GBVF Classified as a National Disaster
Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa welcomes the NDMC’s decision to classify Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act.
🔗 Full statement: https://t.co/CCwK5UzMs9 pic.twitter.com/d0Gt9zO0yM— NationalCoGTA 🇿🇦 (@NationalCoGTA) November 21, 2025