Overview
- Women For Change led coordinated actions nationwide on Friday, urging people to stay away from work and spending, wear black or purple, and take a 15‑minute noon lie‑down to honor those killed.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa labeled gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis in remarks at the G20 Social Summit, calling for extraordinary, concerted action.
- The National Disaster Management Centre has rejected calls for a legal “national disaster” designation, saying GBV does not meet statutory criteria under disaster law.
- Support swelled behind a petition surpassing one million signatures as unions and civil society demanded concrete steps such as functional police GBV units, fast‑tracked courts, and expanded shelter funding.
- Officials including the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities welcomed the presidential stance, while groups like NUMSA sought clarity on practical implementation as protests rolled out in cities including Cape Town.