South Africa has officially declared Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a national disaster, following one of the country’s largest coordinated protest actions in recent years. The declaration was confirmed by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), marking a major shift in how the state intends to respond to the escalating crisis that claims the lives of thousands of women and children each year.
The announcement came shortly after nationwide demonstrations on 21 November 2025, when women across the country staged lie-down protests ahead of the G20 Summit. Dressed in black and lying still for 15 minutes, participants symbolised the estimated 15 women killed daily in South Africa. These peaceful demonstrations gained widespread attention and highlighted public frustration over the lack of progress in combating GBV.
Classifying GBV and femicide as a national disaster unlocks legal and administrative mechanisms that allow government to redirect resources, establish specialised interventions, and coordinate a faster emergency response. However, analysts warn that the success of this declaration will depend heavily on political will, funding, and transparent implementation.
Civil society organisation Women for Change played a key role in mobilising the country, gathering more than one million petition signatures demanding urgent government intervention. The timing was strategic: with South Africa hosting the G20 and global leaders in the country, activists used the platform to amplify the ongoing human rights emergency facing women and children.
While activists have welcomed the move as a long-overdue step, many stress that the declaration must now translate into real, measurable change. The crisis, they argue, cannot be solved through symbolic actions alone. For millions of women across South Africa, the hope is that this marks the beginning of a stronger, more accountable national response to one of the country’s most devastating and persistent threats.