Thousands unite against gender-based violence in South Africa ahead of G20 Summit

In an impressive display of solidarity and urgency ahead of the G20 Summit, thousands gathered across South Africa to draw attention to the pressing issue of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in honour of those who lost their lives as a result.

At 12 noon, participants dressed in black lay down in silence for 15 minutes.

The nationwide shutdown was spearheaded by the advocacy group Women for Change (WFC), which has been persistently calling for this issue to be declared a national disaster, with a petition backed by over 1.1 million people worldwide.

The organisation shared on social media that the country faces one of the deadliest GBV epidemics globally. “In just one year, 5,578 women were murdered - a 33% increase from the previous year.”

WFC urged South Africans, particularly women and individuals from the LGBTQI+ community, to withhold all spending and refrain from both paid and unpaid work. This was intended to highlight the significant social and economic consequences resulting from their absence.

On Thursday, amid the calls for a national shutdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that gender-based violence and femicide would be declared a “crisis” that must be urgently addressed.

Sabrina Walter, the founder of WFC, welcomed the decision, describing it as a historic and long-overdue acknowledgment of the daily crisis facing women and children.

Hundreds attended the Durban leg of the event in South Beach.

Debbie Naidoo said it was time for all women to take a stand, whether they have personally been  victims or know someone who has.

Naidoo said this issue persisted for too long, and we need to start making a difference.

“The support here shows that we are making a difference, and I'm glad to see some of the men here because that’s where it starts as well. We need to get everybody united,” she said.

She appealed for all South Africans to unite in support of this cause. “Violence is not just physical; it is emotional, financial, and psychological.”

Naidoo said those who have gone through this and survived are the lucky ones. “My heart goes out to the families of those who didn't.”

Madison Young highlighted the importance of women standing together to ensure all victims of gender-based violence, both men and women, are heard.

“For me in particular, this cause is very close to my heart. One of my good friends lost her cousin in June of this year; her name is Kahleko, and she was killed by her intimate partner, so I feel like I need to be here for her and for every other victim that we have lost due to GBV,” she said.

Trezan Taylor said it was important for people to show their support because women are important. “It’s as simple as that; women are important, and the crisis that has been going on for decades, the things that have been happening to women every day in South Africa are not okay. We grew up seeing things that are ugly and traumatising. Women bring life, and we cannot be killing our women.” 

Taylor said it was important to address this issue and bring it to an end for mothers, children, daughters, and loved ones who are being lost because of GBV.

She thanked South Africa for taking this crisis seriously.

“It feels good that the president has raised awareness that this is a crisis; I feel like we are being seen and heard for the first time,” she said.

Prisha Naidoo, who is a Miss Petite Universe finalist, said she aims to give a voice to the voiceless.

“I want to put the message out there, and I want survivors to know that we are here to support them. We need to make a change, and this is the change,” she said.

Michael Wilson, an American who has resided in Durban with his family for eight years, attended the event with his wife and children.

He stated that it was crucial for his family to be there to show solidarity with the women of South Africa.

Wilson believes that there must be more investment for women and children in the country. “We need to educate, and education starts at home.”

He was proud to be a witness to such a significant gathering. He also stressed the topic's importance and urgency.

“We can be the change, and we will be the change, and I believe that in the next couple of years, we are going to see massive change,” said Wilson.

Teboho Pietersen said it was important for everyone, especially men, to be a part of this movement and this change.

“It’s really great that people from all over South Africa are uniting and that people are speaking with one voice. I hope that more of this kind of thing will happen in the future,” said Pietersen.

Simphiwe Ngubeni said he was in support of this movement for the women and children because he sees a lot of GBV happening in the country, and it needs to stop.

“Say no to GBV. Stop gender-based violence," he urged.

Avela Sizani, one of the coordinators for the event, expressed her astonishment at the turnout, stating: “To see everybody gathered here for one sole purpose was absolutely amazing. There were many more people than we thought we would see.”

The event was not confined to specific locations; rather, a wave of support emerged from various pop-up groups, organisations, and businesses, who joined forces to amplify the call for change.

Sizani explained that inclusivity is important to the movement.

“The aim was for everyone to feel welcome, and having diverse groups and people, even from different organisations, was highly beneficial. We are all united by one common and significant cause.”

She further explained that in the weeks leading up to the event, social media activism swept through various platforms, with many individuals changing their profile pictures to purple — a symbolic gesture of support for the cause.

On the day, companies made a statement by closing their doors for part or even all of the day in solidarity, while some pledged a portion of their profits to initiatives advocating for social change. Community engagement took many forms, including walks and runs in different cities.

Sizani hopes that the momentum generated by the shutdown is just the beginning. “I hope that it will grow into something bigger and broader now that we have reached a higher audience, both within and outside of the country.

“We hope that more than anything, this lie down, walk, and purple movement reaches the higher powers of the country in government.”

We need protective measures in place for all of our citizens in the country, she said.

karen.singh@inl.co.za