A NATION UNITES: COLLECTIVE ACTION TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN 2025 16 DAYS CAMPAIGN

By Staff Writer.

• South Africa marks the 27th year of the 16 Days of Activism campaign as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster at the G20 creates a historic turning point in the national response.
• The latest Gender-Based Violence Study (HSRC, 2022) reveals widespread victimisation and perpetration across age groups, reinforcing the urgency of a whole-of-society response.
• The 2025 theme, “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls Working Together to End GBVF,” calls for unity, positive masculinities and collective action rooted in shared responsibility.

South Africa enters the 2025 Sixteen Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in a moment of significant national and global attention. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster at the recent G20 Summit has been widely described as a historic turning point that elevates the fight against GBVF to a national and international priority.
The national launch of the campaign took place in Midrand, led by the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Hon Sindisiwe Chikunga, together with Deputy Minister Steve Letsike. The Department of Social Development was represented by Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, who joined national leaders, civil society and communities in affirming government’s commitment to strengthening prevention, support and coordinated interventions under the 2025 theme of Letsema.
Letsema, a Sesotho word meaning voluntary communal work, symbolises solidarity and shared responsibility. In the context of GBVF, it calls for men, women, boys and girls to work together to address harmful norms, support survivors and create safer communities. The theme aligns strongly with President Ramaphosa’s appeal for collective action and the recognition that GBV cannot be resolved by government alone.
This year marks the twenty-seventh year of South Africa’s participation in the global campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December. Anchored in the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, the campaign seeks to mobilise communities, government, civil society and the private sector to take coordinated action to protect women, children and all vulnerable groups.
Recent findings from the Human Sciences Research Council’s first National GBV Study highlight the scale and severity of violence across the country. The study shows that victimisation and perpetration often begin early in life and may continue beyond age fifty. It also reveals higher levels of violence experienced by women with disabilities, increased intimate partner violence in urban areas and strong links between childhood trauma, substance abuse and inequitable gender norms.
These findings align with the President’s strong message at the G20 Social Summit, where he underscored GBVF as one of the country’s most urgent human rights challenges. He called for strengthened global cooperation, investments in prevention and accountability, and urgent action across governments and societies.
The SAPS 2024/2025 statistics further reflect the severity of the crisis. A total of 136 766 GBV-related crimes were recorded, with common assault and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm being the most prevalent. In the previous financial year, 236 women and children were murdered and 3 677 were raped. The trend shows that the third quarter of the year consistently records the highest levels of violence, partly linked to the festive season and higher alcohol consumption.
A key highlight of this year’s programme is the GBVF Prevention Summit, which brings together the film, media and online sectors. These industries hold significant influence in shaping public attitudes and cultural norms. The summit aims to encourage creators, broadcasters and digital platforms to amplify survivor voices, challenge stereotypes and use their reach to promote a culture of dignity, justice and respect.
The summit also builds on the Deputy Minister’s call at the C20 Social Summit for increased global investment in AI-driven child safety innovations, particularly in digital spaces where women and children face growing risks.
The Department of Social Development continues to lead major interventions under the National Strategic Plan (NSP)on GBVF, including the operation of the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, the deployment of the National Emergency Response Team, expansion of shelters, social behaviour change programmes and the development of the Victim Support Services Bill. The department remains focused on strengthening referral systems, expanding the number of shelters, and improving specialised services through partnerships with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
With more than 134 shelters operating nationally and new facilities being launched in provinces such as KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape, the department continues to expand access to survivor support. A strong emphasis is placed on services that are inclusive of different vulnerable groups, including LGBTQIA+ persons, older women, persons with disabilities and young people.
As the 2025 campaign unfolds, the department calls on citizens to play an active role in breaking the silence, challenging harmful norms and reporting abuse. “We cannot end GBVF alone. Every department, every civil society organisation, every business and every community must take part,” the Deputy Minister said.
President Ramaphosa’s declaration at the G20 Summit has re-energised national efforts, reaffirming that ending GBVF is essential to South Africa’s development, dignity and human rights commitments.