President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured delegates at the National Summit against gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide that a revised action plan to address the scourge will be launched in 2019.
"We have listened, and we hear you, there are two demands made by the #TotalShutdown protest that government has responded to, conducting a review of the national plan against GBV and constructing a revised plan against GBV," Ramaphosa told delegates during his keynote address at the first-ever summit held at St George's Hotel in Pretoria on Thursday.
"Minister of Women in the Presidency Bathabile Dlamini and Minister of Social Development Susan Shabangu are going to come forward with an action plan, together with civil society participation," he added.
The #TotalShutdown movement during August, which is women's month, planned a march across the country to highlight the plight of women and children in South Africa.
Ramaphosa, together with stakeholders, convened the summit in response to the #TotalShutdown's demands.
As the President began his address, activists seated in the hall began a silent protest and held up underwear to demonstrate against the scourge of gender-based violence. The president continued despite the demonstration.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that South Africa is a country that is currently faced with high levels of violence and criminality.
"SA's femicide rate was 12.2 per 100 000 in 2016, this is five times higher than the global level.
"We cannot, should not, and will not stop until we put an end to this scourge. Our objective must be to bring these high rates to zero, we must aim for a femicide rate of zero per 100 000 women," he said to a rousing applause.
The summit saw an emotional session of testimonies from GBV survivors who put forward proposals and solutions to the president who was accompanied by Justice Minister Michael Masutha.
"Today we are here as a result of activism born out of pain and anger to highlight the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in our country. The proposals that have been put forward here, we are definitely going to act on," he said in response.
Patriarchy
Several testimonies highlighted the root of violence against women and children as a direct result of patriarchy. Activists in response requested that Ramaphosa create more awareness starting at home.
"Patriarchy means that men feel entitled to exert economic, social and political power over women. We need to put an end to patriarchy because it gives men a sense that they own women.
"When we improve the way we raise our children, we can go a long way in preventing violence against boys and girls," Ramaphosa said in agreement.
Ramaphosa concluded by stating that there was no acceptable level of gender-based violence and government intended to eradicate it.
"We want to reach a point where no woman, child or man has to experience violence, violation or trauma of rape.
"Government is here. We are listening and let me add, I say yes to your demands," he concluded.
The summit will go into private commissions for the remainder of the afternoon and conclude on Friday for a report back session.
Source: News24
