‘Look at gender violence, Cyril’

Civil society organisations want President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare gender-based violence as a national priority when delivering his State of the Nation address (Sona) in parliament today.

They include the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Hlanganisa Institute for Development in Southern Africa, Justice and Women, Lifeline South Africa, National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders, Soul City, Sonke Gender Justice and the Teddy Bear Foundation.

Ramaphosa, said the NGOs, “should commit a budget to the multi-sectoral council that will develop the country’s national strategic plan for gender-based violence.

The organisations said in a statement: “We express concern at the slow pace at which the presidency is addressing issues identified at the gender-based violence and femicide summit.

“Civil society organisations working on gender-based violence ask why the wheels of the justice system turn so slowly when it comes to delivering justice for women in this country.

“Women continue to suffer unspeakable atrocities and even death at the hands of men.

“When will the government take action to end gender-based violence?”

While commending Ramaphosa for taking a stand against gender-based violence, they expressed concern about the pace of implementing his promises.

“His office moved swiftly to convene the presidential gender-based violence and femicide summit in November last year, following the delivery of 24 demands from women across the country in August.

“The outcome of the summit was a declaration, which called for the immediate establishment of an adequately funded interim structure, with the eventual objective of establishing a national multi-sectoral council.

“To date the declaration remains unsigned and the interim structure does not yet exist.”

They called on the president to sign the declaration to demonstrate the government’s commitment to ending gender-based violence, and the organisations called for – among others – that a national multi-sectoral council be:

Established within six months from the date on which the summit declaration is signed.

Allocated with adequate resources for its optimal functioning.

Governed by a legislative framework to ensure effective functioning.

This legislation may be developed subsequent to the establishment of the council.

Transparent in the appointment of any person to serve on the council.

Championed by the president himself.