The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has called for a sustained nationwide effort to end Gender Based Violence and Femicide, saying the crisis demands daily vigilance and collective action from every sector of society. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Department said the country cannot rely on short-term campaigns and must shift to a year-round approach that places prevention, protection and accountability at the centre of community life.
The call comes as the government continues to strengthen laws, expand support services for survivors and accelerate the rollout of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. Despite these interventions, the Department said the scale and persistence of violence against women, children and persons with disabilities show that legislative reforms and policing efforts alone cannot resolve the crisis.
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said all South Africans have a responsibility to challenge harmful behaviours and help build safer communities. “Every day is a day to end GBVF. Let us work together to build the South Africa we all deserve, safe, inclusive and free from violence,” she said. The Department said real change will require bold leadership, deeper collaboration between government and civil society and the active participation of families, workplaces, schools and community structures.
According to the Department, the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign plays an important role in raising awareness, but the fight against GBVF must extend beyond this period. It said that the country needs a 365-day mindset where preventing violence becomes an everyday practice. This includes supporting survivors, ensuring proper reporting pathways and holding perpetrators accountable without delay.
Communities are urged to work together to create safe public spaces, assist those at risk and challenge behaviours that normalise violence. The Department noted that many women and children experience harm within homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces and institutions, which makes community involvement central to any long-term solution.
Workplaces and institutions are encouraged to strengthen policies and reporting mechanisms to protect employees and ensure cases of harassment and abuse are addressed effectively. Families are called on to teach respect, equality and non-violence from early childhood to disrupt the cycle of violence that often begins in the household. The Department also emphasised the role of men, saying they must step up to challenge attitudes and behaviours that contribute to harm and actively intervene when witnessing abuse.
Minister Chikunga said national efforts can only succeed when all sectors work in one direction. “We cannot end GBVF through legislation alone. We need a united nation, Men, Women, Youth, Traditional Leaders, Religious Formations, Business, Labour and Civil Society working in one direction. National efforts towards ending GBVF are both a moral duty and a collective responsibility,” she said.
The Department urged citizens to use available support services, including the GBVF Command Centre, which provides assistance at 0800 428 428. It said these services remain essential for survivors and individuals who witness or suspect abuse.
The department said the country must work towards a society where women, children and persons with disabilities can live free from fear, discrimination and violence. It added that sustained commitment across all sectors will determine whether South Africa succeeds in ending one of its most urgent social crises.
