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South Africa's Women Stage Nationwide Shutdown Over Gender-Based Violence Crisis
Thousands of South African women took to the streets on Friday in a coordinated nationwide protest, demanding the government declare gender-based violence (GBV) a national disaster. The demonstrations, part of the G20 Women's Shutdown, coincided with the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and followed weeks of viral social media activism.
Protesters dressed in black-symbolizing mourning and resistance-participated in 15-minute "lie downs" at noon across 15 locations, including Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. The silent act honored the 15 women killed daily in South Africa, a rate five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women. Allies in Eswatini, Kenya, and Namibia joined in solidarity.
Warning: This report contains references to sexual violence.
Calls for Urgent Government Action
The campaign, led by activist group Women for Change, urged women to withdraw from work, school, and economic activity for the day. An online petition backing the cause has gathered over one million signatures, pressuring authorities to escalate efforts against GBV.
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the crisis at the G20 Social Summit on Thursday, reiterating South Africa's 2019 declaration of GBV and femicide as a "national crisis". However, activists argue progress has stalled. Cameron Kasambala, a spokesperson for Women for Change, criticized the government's "lack of implementation and transparency" despite existing legislation.
"We've integrated violence into our culture, into our social norms. Once the government truly reacts, we'll see change on the ground. They set the tone for how the country responds."
Cameron Kasambala, Women for Change
Global Solidarity and Local Backlash
The protest gained international traction, with celebrities like Grammy winner Tyla and thousands of citizens adopting purple profile pictures-a color tied to GBV awareness-as part of the #PurpleMovement. Yet, some women faced workplace pushback for participating. A product designer at a major corporation told the BBC she was "strongly advised against" joining.
One anonymous professor traveled from Free State province to Johannesburg for the protest, citing personal fears: "I hesitate to go jogging. This shutdown is about slowing the scourge."
Self-Defense as a Last Resort
Frustrated by systemic failures, some women have turned to self-protection. Lynette Oxeley, founder of Girls on Fire, trains survivors in firearm use-legal in South Africa for self-defense with a license. Most members have endured rape, assault, or robbery.
Prudence, a 2022 rape survivor, described her ordeal: "I screamed, I cried, but he didn't stop." Her case collapsed after her rape kit was lost. "It's not a police problem," she said. "It's a nation problem."
"It's not about pulling the trigger. It's about changing how women see themselves-fighting back, even if you don't win."
Lynette Oxeley, Girls on Fire
Government Response Falls Short
The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) rejected the call to classify GBV as a national disaster, stating it doesn't meet legal criteria. Activists counter that the 2019 "crisis" declaration has yielded little tangible progress, with systemic impunity persisting for perpetrators.
As the G20 convenes, protesters vow to sustain pressure until concrete measures-such as dedicated funding, judicial reforms, and public safety overhauls-are enacted.
