PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR GBV SURVIVORS

By Justice Malapane.

• During the second day of the 5th National Shelter Indaba, provincial Departments of Social Development delivered presentations on advancements in prevention, care, and empowerment programmes for survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
• ⁠The Department of Social Development (DSD) leads Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, focusing on Response, Care, Support, and Healing in partnership with other government departments and civil society.
• ⁠“The fight against GBVF demands collective and well-resourced action across all sectors of society,” delegates agreed at the Indaba.

The Department of Social Development (DSD) has continued to advance its efforts to enhance services and support for survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). This commitment was reiterated on the second day of the 5th National Shelter Indaba, which is currently taking place at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng, under the theme “Sheltering and Beyond: Building Bridges of Prevention and Intervention.”

Provincial Departments of Social Development used the platform to share their progress, experiences, and innovations in tackling GBVF and improving the lives of survivors. The Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces presented detailed reports on the implementation of Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, which focuses on Response, Care, Support, and Healing.

The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development reported that it operates 14 shelters across eight districts, with R36 million allocated in the 2025/26 financial year to fund Victim Empowerment Centres. These facilities play a critical role in offering psychosocial support, counselling, and empowerment opportunities to women and children affected by violence.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development funds 14 shelters across the province and is finalising the operationalisation of donated buildings from the Department of Public Works and Mogale City Municipality. The province also runs a range of skills development programmes for women survivors, including training in baking, cooking, computer literacy, and hair and beauty.

In KwaZulu-Natal, shelters continue to serve as essential spaces for protection, empowerment, and reintegration. They are integrated into the province’s response system, providing comprehensive support to survivors of abuse while promoting healing and independence.
“The Department of Social Development remains committed to strengthening the coordination of services for victims of crime and violence, with a strong focus on vulnerable women and children,” a DSD spokesperson said.

Participants at the Indaba emphasised the importance of sustainable funding, interdepartmental cooperation, and community involvement in combating GBVF. They called for all government departments to contribute financially and programmatically toward the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, recognising that the fight against gender-based violence requires a collective and well-resourced national effort.

The National Shelter Indaba, hosted in partnership with the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA), provides a critical platform for reflection and collaboration. The gathering aims to improve multi-level service delivery standards and strengthen the national network of shelters that provide counselling, skills development, and psychosocial support for women and children.
“Shelters are not just safe spaces. They are centres of transformation where survivors rebuild their lives, regain confidence, and contribute to society again,” said a representative from the NSMSA.

GBVF, declared by the President of South Africa as the second pandemic after COVID-19, continues to affect women, children, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Indaba serves as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to protect the vulnerable and to build a society where safety, equality, and dignity are guaranteed for all.

The 5th National Shelter Indaba concludes tomorrow, with participants expected to adopt resolutions to strengthen prevention, early intervention, and survivor support systems across all nine provinces.