That’s according to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, who told SABC News on Monday evening that government’s classification of GBVF as a national disaster enables a rapid, cross-departmental response.
“The classification is a shorter road than declaration… it immediately activates all departments. That is why we had a first meeting tonight, and we have agreed on a platform where premiers, MECs, and DGs will come up with a program of action because gender-based violence and femicide, we need to handle it as we did to COVID-19.”
The minister confirmed that a comprehensive plan will be presented before the end of the year.
“On the 3rd of December, there will be a joint meeting of all DGs, and they will come up with a comprehensive plan. Before the holidays, we will roll out a plan to be aggressive on GBVF in order to bring it to an end.”
Hlabisa emphasized that a whole-of-society approach is required, calling on traditional leaders, churches, civil society, and all spheres of government to participate.
“One contributing factor is alcohol and substance abuse. I’m not blaming it alone, but if you look at people who get arrested for killing women, for raping women, there is a high element of drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse. A hard line needs to be taken on these items if we mean to cut down the amount of GBVF, which is devastating our society.”
The classification of GBVF as a national disaster follows a series of high-profile cases and growing public outcry over escalating violence against women and children in South Africa.
The government states that the forthcoming plan will encompass preventive, enforcement, and awareness measures to address the root causes and reduce incidents nationwide.
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