GEORGE NEWS - Many women in George added their voices to a growing national outcry when they gathered at Unity Park in York Street on Friday 21 November as part of the National Women's Shutdown, held in solidarity with the organisation Women for Change.
The peaceful gathering formed part of co-ordinated protests across the country, calling attention to South Africa's devastating levels of gender-based violence (GBV), which have now been officially declared a national disaster.
A large group of women gathered at noon on Friday to stand with the survivors, honour the victims and raise their voices for urgent change. The event was supported by local organisations, including Legally You and the Western Cape Civil Society Forum for HIV and TB.
"Working together creates a unified front against gender-based violence and femicide. No single organisation, department or community structure can address the crisis on its own.
"When we combine our strengths, share resources and support one another, we close the gaps that perpetrators exploit and ensure survivors receive protection, justice and healing," says Legally You's Marilyn Scheepers.
The shutdown formed part of the G20 Women's Shutdown campaign, which urged women nationwide to withdraw from the economy for one day and to lie down for 15 minutes at noon in honour of the 15 women murdered in South Africa every day.
Participants dressed in black as a symbol of mourning and resistance.
South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women, with a femicide rate five times higher than the global average.
After weeks of online activism, sustained public pressure and a petition signed by more than one million people, the National Disaster Management Centre declared GBV and femicide a disaster.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed the move, which allows government departments to use existing budgets for urgent prevention and intervention measures.
Should these efforts fail, a national state of disaster may follow.
President Cyril Ramaphosa told the G20 Social Summit last week that GBV and femicide had been recognised as a national crisis since 2019. Still, activists maintain that meaningful change requires stronger action, transparency and accountability.
Women from across George took part in the shutdown.
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