Nationwide Protests Erupt in South Africa to Combat Gender Violence

Post by : Raina Nasser

In South Africa, women’s rights organizations are spearheading a series of nationwide demonstrations to demand that gender-based violence (GBV) be recognized as a national disaster. With the increasing incidents of violence against women, activists are pressing for urgent governmental intervention.

The movement initially gained traction through social media and is culminating in a significant nationwide “shutdown” on Friday, timed with the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Many participants are showing support online by updating their profile pictures to purple, symbolizing GBV awareness.

South Africa is grappling with alarming levels of violence towards women, with UN Women indicating that females face a homicide risk five times higher than the global average. In just the first quarter of 2025, 137 women lost their lives to murder and over 1,000 reported instances of rape.

The call to protest encourages women to refrain from work or school, effectively “withdrawing from the economy for one day,” and to partake in a moment of silence by lying down for 15 minutes at noon to commemorate those women who have been victims of violence. This act of remembrance is scheduled to take place in 15 locations across major South African cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. Support from allies in Eswatini, Kenya, and Namibia has also been pledged. Participants are encouraged to don black attire as a mark of mourning and resistance.

Organized by Women for Change, the shutdown follows a successful online campaign and a petition, which has gathered more than a million signatures advocating for the government to take stronger measures against GBV. However, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has dismissed the request, asserting that GBV does not fulfill the legal criteria for a national disaster.

During the G20 Social Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa accentuated South Africa’s battle against GBV, remarking that gender-based violence and femicide were officially declared a national crisis in 2019. Activists contend that minimal progress has been observed since then, with many laws and initiatives inadequately enforced.

Cameron Kasambala, a representative from Women for Change, stated, “Violence has become interwoven into our culture and social norms. We need the government to spearhead a precedent for tangible change at the grassroots level.”

The campaign has garnered support from numerous celebrities and members of the public. Renowned singer Tyla and others have engaged in the online “purple movement,” sharing purple hearts and items to raise awareness about the issue.

In response to the crisis, some women are taking steps for their own safety. Lynette Oxeley initiated Girls on Fire, a group aimed at teaching women self-defense techniques involving firearms. Many members have faced assault, with one woman, Prudence, joining after surviving rape in 2022, only to confront the challenge of lost DNA evidence jeopardizing justice.

Oxeley emphasized that resorting to firearms is a last option: “It’s about more than self-defense—it’s about empowering women to break their silence. Even if you don’t prevail in the fight, standing up for yourself is crucial.”

The planned nationwide protests serve as a powerful reminder of the critical issue of gender-based violence in South Africa, where citizens and activists are unified in their call for enhanced governmental measures to safeguard women.