ANCWL calls on Ramaphosa to declare GBVF a national emergency.

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a national disaster. This call, made during a media briefing following the ANC National Executive Committee meeting in Germiston, is a response to the escalating violence against women in South Africa. Nokuthula Nqaba, Secretary General of the ANCWL, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that failure to act decisively may lead the league to organize mass public demonstrations.

The ANCWL has previously called for GBVF to be designated as a National State of Disaster in November 2024, reaffirming its commitment to tackling the crisis. To increase awareness and urgency around the issue, the league plans to hold a shutdown march to highlight the plight of women across the nation.

The aim of calling for a national disaster declaration is to mobilize resources and implement comprehensive strategies to effectively combat GBVF. Elevating this crisis to national disaster status would facilitate necessary government attention and resource allocation, ensuring a more coordinated response from society at large.

The ANCWL’s persistent advocacy highlights the critical nature of GBVF in South Africa, where incidents continue to rise. The league’s proactive measures reflect a broader call for vigilant action against gender-based violence, seeking to ensure the safety and protection of women throughout the country. By calling for national recognition of GBVF as a disaster, the ANCWL seeks to galvanize support and substantial intervention needed to address this pressing social issue.