The new National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide faces pressure to turn policy commitments into better funding, accountability and support for survivors as alarming SAPS statistics highlight the scale of South Africa’s GBVF crisis.
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Civil society organisations have warned that South Africa’s new National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide(GBVF) will be judged on whether its first priorities lead to better funding, stronger accountability and practical changes for survivors.
The council held its inaugural meeting in Pretoria on Monday, where it agreed to develop a Shareholder Compact and a costing framework for the country’s GBVF response, and identify funding and resource gaps.
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said the problems identified by the council were not new.
“It is too early to regard the meeting itself as an achievement or to assume that the establishment of the Council will automatically translate into meaningful change,” Monakali said.
South Africa already had legislation and the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, he said, but implementation remained the central problem.
“The question, therefore, is not whether government has correctly identified the problems, but whether the Council will finally have the authority, resources and political will to address them.”
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga said the council would develop a comprehensive costing framework to determine what the national response requires, identify resource gaps and develop an investment case.
A Shareholder Compact would establish how the council’s performance would be measured.
Monakali said some of the most serious shortages were being experienced by organisations providing direct services to survivors in townships, rural areas and under-resourced communities.
“One of the most serious funding gaps is at the frontline, particularly among NGOs and community-based organizations providing direct support to survivors and vulnerable communities,” he said.
Similar concerns were raised by the National Shelter Movement of South Africa after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the council’s seven members on July 31.
The organisation said South Africa had strong GBVF laws and policies, but struggled with implementation, coordination and accountability. It also called for sustainable funding for shelters and community organisations.
Ilitha Labantu said the costing exercise should also examine weaknesses across the police, healthcare, social services and criminal justice systems.
“Survivors cannot continue to encounter systems that are inadequately equipped to respond with the urgency, sensitivity and competence required,” Monakali said.
The council begins its work against the backdrop of 50,511 GBVF cases reported to SAPS during the 2025/26 financial year, according to Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia. In a parliamentary response, Cachalia said 30,736 cases resulted in arrests and/or referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority.
Created under the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act 9 of 2024, the council is responsible for monitoring the national strategy, promoting accountability and mobilising resources.
Monakali said a key test would be whether departments and institutions faced consequences when they failed to carry out their responsibilities.
“Accountability cannot simply mean identifying failures and discussing them at meetings while the same challenges continue year after year,” he said.
Ilitha Labantu wants clear responsibilities, measurable targets and timelines, backed by public reporting on progress and failures.
Within its first year, it also wants to see resources reaching critical services and improvements in how survivors are treated when they seek help.
“For Ilitha Labantu, the most important question is: what will actually be different?” Monakali said.
“Will a survivor be able to access support more easily? Will frontline organizations have access to sustainable funding? Will there be consequences when government departments fail to implement their commitments?”
He said success could not be measured by the number of meetings held or reports produced.
“Success must be reflected in tangible improvements in the response to survivors and in greater accountability across the system.”
Monakali also said the inaugural meeting, held in the final days of Women’s Month, should not mean GBVF received attention only during awareness campaigns.
“Violence against women is a daily occurrence,” he said. “This cannot be limited to periods such as Women’s Month or the 16 Days of Activism.”
The council now faces the task of showing that its statutory mandate can turn long-standing commitments into changes survivors experience when they seek protection, support and justice.
