Honourable Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga (MP) – remarks at the Strategic Engagement with the Commission For Gender Equality on the Implementation of Pillar 3 of the NSP On GBVF, Friday, 13 November, 2026 at 10h00 – 13h00
Programme Director: Mr Jabu Baloyi
Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality; Commissioners (CGE);
Special Advisor to the Minister
The Acting Director-General of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities – Dr Praveena Sukhraj-Ely;
Deputy Director General and Board Deputy Chairperson of the National Council on GBVF – Ms Shoki Tshabalala;
Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Dennis Matotoka;
Officials of the Department and of the Commission;
Representatives of Civil Society and the Criminal Justice Sector,
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, Good morning.
Introduction
Thank you for the invitation, for the report and for the presentation we have just received from the CGE.
The Commission for Gender Equality stands in Chapter 9 of the Constitution. Section 187 gives you the mandate to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality. Section 181 establishes your independence, subject only to the Constitution, and places a duty on every organ of state to assist and protect you and your work. I am
here under that duty. You are the oversight body, I am the Executive, and this engagement is, in a way, a practical expression of our Constitution working as its drafters intended.
This year the Constitution turns 30, and so does the Commission for Gender Equality Act 39 of 1996. Your mandate has grown heavier with each of those years. Since gender-based violence and femicide was classified a national disaster, the country looks to you to say whether the State is keeping its word.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) welcomes the study undertaken by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the implementation challenges affecting Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), which focuses on Justice, Safety and Protection. We appreciate the important oversight and monitoring role played by the CGE in strengthening accountability across government and ensuring that the rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups remain at the centre of our national response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
From the onset, I wish to commend the CGE for taking up the Joint Inquiry with the South African Human Rights Commission and the CRL Rights Commission into the reporting, victim support, investigation, prosecution and sentencing of GBVF cases. In your methodology, you went to Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, heard from the institutions and the people they serve, and came back with evidence. Government needs this evidence, especially when it is uncomfortable to hear.
The findings of the report emerge at a time when South Africa continues to face persistently high and unacceptable levels of violence against women and children. Every incident of rape, domestic violence, sexual assault and femicide is an indictment on all of us and a reminder that much more must be done to protect the constitutional rights to dignity, equality, freedom and security of the person.
We therefore acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the experiences of survivors within the criminal justice system (CJS), including challenges relating to access to justice, secondary victimisation, case management, investigation capacity, conviction rates, coordination and survivor support services. These challenges are real, and government remains committed to addressing them decisively.
The role and mandate of the DWYPD
The DWYPD is mandated to provide strategic leadership, policy direction, advocacy, coordination, monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF). In this regard, the Department serves as the custodian of the NSP on GBVF and is responsible for driving a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response to the pandemic of GBVF.
While implementation responsibilities rest with all departments, spheres of government and social partners, the Department's role is to:
- Coordinate implementation of the six pillars of the NSP on GBVF across government and society;
- Monitor progress against NSP commitments and targets;
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms and compliance with reporting obligations;
- Convene national and provincial coordination structures;
- Facilitate evidence-based planning and reporting;
- Mobilise partnerships with civil society, development partners, organised labour, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, academia and the private sector; and
- Advocate for the prioritisation of GBVF interventions in planning, budgeting and service delivery.
To improve implementation discipline and accountability, the Department has reinforced reporting requirements by government departments and entities, strengthened performance monitoring systems and expanded mechanisms for tracking implementation across provinces and sectors. Regular reports are consolidated and presented through governance structures responsible for overseeing NSP implementation, enabling corrective action where progress is inadequate.
Constitutional and Legislative Framework
Government's response to GBVF is anchored in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which guarantees the rights to equality, dignity, life, freedom and security of the person, access to courts and access to social services.
The legislative framework supporting the response to GBVF includes, among others:
- The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa;
- The Domestic Violence Act;
- The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act;
- The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act;
- The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act;
- The Protection from Harassment Act;
- The Children's Act;
- The Maintenance Act;
- The Victim Support Services Framework; and
- The National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
These legislative and policy measures provide a comprehensive framework for prevention, protection, prosecution, support and redress. The challenge before us is therefore not only the existence of laws, but ensuring their effective implementation and enforcement.
Government's intensified response to GBVF
In recent years, government has significantly elevated the fight against GBVF through a series of interventions led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and supported across all sectors of society.
Notable initiatives include:
- The Presidential Summits on GBVF
The First and Second Presidential Summits on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide represented watershed moments in South Africa's response to GBVF. These summits elevated accountability across government, civil society, business, labour, academia and communities and strengthened the collective commitment to implementing the NSP-GBVF.
- Establishment of the GBVF Response Fund
The establishment of the GBVF Response Fund strengthened partnerships between government and the private sector, creating an innovative platform for mobilising additional resources to support implementation of the National Strategic Plan and survivor-centred interventions.
- The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign
Government continues to utilise the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign as a strategic mobilisation platform to raise awareness, encourage reporting, strengthen prevention and reinforce community ownership of the fight against GBVF.
- National Council on GBVF Act and Establishment of the Council
The promulgation of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act and the establishment of the National Council Board represent a major institutional milestone. The Council, once fully operational, will strengthen governance, coordination, accountability, monitoring and social mobilisation and provides a sustainable mechanism for driving implementation of the NSP on GBVF.
- Classification of GBVF as a National Disaster
Government's decision to classify GBVF as a national disaster-level crisis reflected recognition that GBVF constitutes an extraordinary societal emergency requiring coordinated, urgent and sustained action across all sectors. This classification helped elevate planning, resource mobilisation, oversight and implementation.
- The President's Four-Point Plan
Following the deeply disturbing femicide cases reported in Ekurhuleni, the President announced a four-point plan aimed at intensifying law enforcement action, improving protection for women and children, strengthening accountability mechanisms and accelerating implementation of key GBVF interventions.
- Positive Masculinities and Continental Leadership
President Ramaphosa has championed the Positive Masculinities agenda both nationally and internationally, recognising the critical role of men and boys in changing harmful social norms and behaviours that perpetuate violence.
South Africa has also played a leading role on the African continent in advocating for stronger measures to combat violence against women and girls, including support for the development and adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG). This demonstrates our commitment not only to national action but also to continental leadership in advancing women's rights, safety, and dignity. In 2025, South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency, where it further championed the global prevention of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) through the promotion of positive masculinities, engaging men and boys as partners in advancing gender equality, challenging harmful social norms, and fostering safer, more inclusive societies for women and girls.
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate government's resolve to end GBVF through a coordinated, whole-of-society approach that brings together government, civil society, communities, traditional leadership, business, labour, faith-based institutions, academia, women, men, girls and boys.
Interventions undertaken by the DWYPD
To strengthen leadership, improve intergovernmental coordination, and reinforce accountability throughout the public sector, the Department has introduced a range of strategic interventions designed to institutionalise, drive, and accelerate the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF).
These include:
- Institutionalisation of the National Strategic Plan across government and provinces;
- Revitalisation and strengthening of the National and Provincial Gender Machineries (NGM);
- Established and continue to build capacity of over 40 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in districts and municipalities to improve coordinated responses to GBVF incidents;
- Established the #ENDGBVF Collective as a key multi-sectoral coordination and accountability platform;
- Deployed European Union-funded Technical Monitors and Data Collectors across provincial Offices of the Premiers to strengthen monitoring, reporting and evidence-based planning;
- Through the rollout of the 100-Day Challenges, Government, in partnership with the World of Impact, has successfully expanded implementation across all nine provinces. Progress reports indicate participation by between 46 and 50 municipalities nationwide. A key achievement has been the development of a national GBVF services dashboard, which maps available services across the country and is expected to strengthen evidence-based planning, coordination, resource allocation, and service delivery for GBVF response and prevention initiatives.
- Developed monitoring and accountability tools to strengthen oversight and performance tracking, which are currently being digitised to improve efficiency, streamline reporting processes, and enable real-time monitoring of NSP-GBVF implementation.
- Support for data harmonisation and improved evidence generation;
- Advocacy and social mobilisation campaigns across communities, schools and institutions of higher learning; and
- Facilitation of stakeholder partnerships that support implementation of NSP priorities.
- The Department has further strengthened intergovernmental oversight and accountability mechanisms to support the effective implementation of the NSP-GBVF.
This includes ongoing engagement with departments responsible for justice, policing, social development, health, education, and local government, as well as active participation in relevant NATJOINTS workstreams.
Furthermore, the Department coordinates and supports the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on GBVF and Substance Abuse, which convenes on a bi-monthly basis to provide oversight, facilitate intersectoral coordination, monitor progress against NSP targets, and guide the government-wide response to GBVF.
Prevention and positive masculinity programmes
While Pillar 3 focuses on justice, safety and protection, government recognises that the long-term solution lies in prevention. The DWYPD continues to provide national leadership on prevention programmes aimed at transforming harmful gender norms and promoting positive masculinity.
Emphasis is being placed on:
- School-based programmes that engage boys and young men;
- Gender equality programmes at institutions of higher learning;
- Community dialogues on masculinity and violence prevention;
- Partnerships with traditional and faith leaders;
- Public awareness campaigns addressing patriarchal attitudes; and
- Youth-focused initiatives that promote healthy relationships, consent and respect for the rights of women and girls.
These interventions seek to address the root causes of GBVF and cultivate a generation that rejects violence and embraces equality, respect and accountability.
Focus on Pillar 3 of the NSP-GBVF
Chairperson,
Since the launch of the NSP on GBVF in 2020, the Justice and Crime Prevention Cluster recorded the strongest five-year score in the national response to gender-based violence i.e., Pillar 3 of the NSP on GBVF. Of the 54 indicators for this pillar, 31 were achieved, 14 are in progress and 9 were not achieved.
Through the NSP Five-Year Review, and DOJ&CD and NATJOINTS progress reports, we have noted that capacity in the justice system has grown:
- District courts: 40 have been upgraded to support survivors of domestic violence.
- Clearance certificates: 153,847 National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) clearance certificates were issued over the past five years. Of these, 79,179 were issued by March 2026.
- Sexual Offences Courts: 14 were established in the financial year ending March 2026.
- Testimony facilities: 338 functional sets now support remote or protected testimony.
The GBVF Mid-term Review reports progress in four areas:
- Online protection-order development
- Frontline training
- Better victim support
- Wider use of court preparation and victim-impact statements
It also records persistent pressure. The sexual-offence backlog is getting worse. Evidence on how cases progress, on service quality and on survivors' experience is uneven. Although system capacity has improved, timely, survivor-centred case outcomes remain the real test and this is corroborated and aligns with the findings of your report.
In addition, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has strengthened its response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) through targeted capacity-building initiatives. A total of 221 prosecutors, out of a targeted 800, have recently completed specialised GBVF training. To further enhance knowledge and skills, a Domestic Violence Webinar was conducted on 15 April 2026. Furthermore, 1,185 law enforcement officers participated in GBV-related learning programmes between January and June 2026, contributing to improved investigation, prosecution, and victim-support services across the criminal justice system.
Funding commitments
It is important to note that both the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) and the GBVF Disaster Management Plans remain unfunded mandates, significantly constraining the capacity of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) to effectively fulfil its coordination and oversight responsibilities.
In this context, we welcome the recent commitments announced by the Minister of Finance during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to avail funds that will significantly strengthen the country's response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). R3.8 billion was allocated over the medium term to recruit 3,552 social workers across the provinces to support GBVF prevention, early intervention, psychosocial support, and victim-empowerment programmes.
The funding forms part of a broader R5.1 billion GBVF package that also includes R186 million to enhance forensic and investigative capacity, the expansion of sexual offences courts (SOCs) from 55 to 101, the increase of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) from 72 to 80 by 2028/29, and R157.4 million for the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to strengthen coordination and oversight of GBVF initiatives. These investments demonstrate government's commitment to prioritising GBVF prevention and improving support services for women, children, and vulnerable communities.
However, sustainable and dedicated financing remains essential to ensuring the effective implementation of the NSP on GBVF, strengthening frontline services, and delivering meaningful support and protection to survivors.
Building on the progress achieved to date, government is accelerating the implementation of the GBVF National Disaster Plan and the recently announced Presidential Four-Point Plan to drive a more coordinated, urgent, and impactful response to gender-based violence and femicide.
Government's next phase of delivery
Ladie and gentlemen;
As government moves into the next phase of NSP implementation, the focus is shifting from policy development to implementation at scale, measurable outcomes and accountability.
Priority areas include:
- Strengthening survivor-centred justice services;
- Improving coordination across the criminal justice value chain;
- Enhancing data and reporting systems;
- Strengthening accountability for implementation across all departments;
- Expanding prevention initiatives and behaviour-change programmes;
- Improving provincial and local implementation capacity;
- Institutionalising the work of the National Council on GBVF;
- Enhancing oversight, monitoring and evaluation arrangements; and
- Securing sustainable financing for NSP implementation.
Government has carefully considered the findings raised by the CGE and will continue working with all stakeholders to address identified gaps and improve service delivery outcomes for survivors.
Conclusion
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities remains unwavering in its commitment to ending gender-based violence and femicide. We recognise that no single institution, department or sector can overcome this crisis alone. Success requires the active participation of every South African.
We therefore continue to call upon communities, families, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, the private sector, civil society, women, men, boys and girls to join government in building a society free from violence.
As we advance this work, we are guided by the understanding that ending GBVF is not only a government responsibility; it is a national imperative. It is for this reason that the theme for the 2026 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign is:
"Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls Working Together to End Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)."
Together, through collective action, accountability and sustained commitment, we can build a South Africa in which every woman, every child and every person lives free from fear, violence and discrimination.
I thank you.
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