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SOUTH AFRICA CALLS FOR URGENT ALCOHOL POLICY REFORM AT GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN BRAZIL

April 11, 2026

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By DSD News

⁠South Africa clearly highlights alcohol abuse as a driving force behind Gender-Based Violence at the global conference, demanding swift policy reform.
The government is working together through an Interministerial Committee to tackle gender-based violence and substance abuse.
Key global recommendations include stricter alcohol regulation, protection of vulnerable groups, and reinvestment in victim support programmes.

Deputy Minister of Social Development Hon. Ganief Hendricks represented South Africa at the Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC) 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 08 to 10 April 2026. He called for urgent action to address South Africa’s alcohol policy gaps and the growing crisis of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

Speaking to global delegates, the Deputy Minister highlighted the link between alcohol abuse and rising GBVF levels in South Africa. His address, “Addressing South Africa’s Alcohol Policy Gap and GBV National Disaster: A Call to Action,” urged stronger policy frameworks and coordinated interventions to address social instability.

The conference engagement comes at a time when South Africa continues to face significant challenges linked to alcohol misuse. With the Final Liquor Policy unchanged since 2016, the Deputy Minister noted that regulatory gaps continue to have far-reaching social consequences. This is further compounded by the President’s declaration of GBVF as a National Disaster in November 2025, which signals the severity of the crisis and the need for a decisive, multi-sectoral response.

The Deputy Minister welcomed the Interministerial Committee on GBVF and Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Co-chaired by the Minister of Social Development and the Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the Committee unites government departments across various clusters, showing a broad, coordinated approach.

He emphasised that all stakeholders must act now to close policy gaps, strengthen the justice system, and ensure victims of GBVF receive necessary support. He also called for immediate action to address violence linked to alcohol and substance abuse.

Key conference discussions emphasised several urgent actions. These include stricter rules for alcohol marketing to vulnerable groups and zoning laws to keep liquor outlets away from schools and public spaces. There was also a call to use alcohol-related revenue for victim empowerment and recovery programs, and to enforce zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

The Deputy Minister further emphasised that South Africa must prioritise public health and community safety above commercial interests. He indicated that he will use his role within the Government of National Unity Leaders’ Forum to advance these discussions, while also engaging municipalities to strengthen the enforcement of existing bylaws governing liquor trading hours and location compliance.

Central to the call for reform is the urgent need to revisit and update the 2016 Final Liquor Policy, paving the way for a comprehensive review of the Liquor Act of 2003. This, he noted, is essential to ensuring that South Africa’s legislative framework is responsive to current realities and effectively addresses the intersection between alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.

South Africa’s participation in GAPC 2026 reflects the country’s commitment to global collaboration to address alcohol-related harm and advance evidence-based policy solutions. The Deputy Minister’s call to action reinforces the need for sustained, collective efforts to build safer communities and protect the most vulnerable.

The core message is undeniable: tackling alcohol abuse is fundamental to ending Gender-Based Violence and ensuring a safer, healthier future for everyone in South Africa.