MEDIA ADVISORY

Four years since the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) came into effect, the Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the National Shelter Movement of South Africa, will host the annual National Shelter Indaba to take stock of progress in the implementation of Pillar 4: Response, Care, Support and Healing of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF).

The Indaba to be held under the theme: “Progressive Sheltering: Strengthening Shelters in South Africa”, will bring together a diverse array of strategic and relevant role players, creating a national platform to address pressing issues impacting the sheltering of GBV victims/survivors in South Africa. Social Development is the lead government department in implementing Pillar 4 of the NSP. In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially declared GBVF a national pandemic and called for a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach to tackle this crisis head-on

The Indaba forms part of measures to fast track the outcomes of the recommendations of 2022 Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which recommended amongst others, that the Department of Social Development expand shelter services and standardise the funding model for non-governmental orgnisations that provide shelter services in South Africa. It further seeks to drive improvements in GBV sheltering practices through the adoption and implementation of best practices that provide gender-responsive, evidence-based, professional medical and therapeutic care to meet all the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of GBV survivors across the age spectrum.

The programme of the two-day Indaba will include panel discussions and presentations from representatives of government and civil society organisations focusing on the services provided in shelters, addressing gaps and improving access to shelter services for vulnerable and marginalised communities like the LGBTQIA+ individuals, older persons and persons with disabilities.

The National Shelter Movement of South Africa plays a pivotal role in the implementation of Pillar 4 of the NSP on GBVF and is an umbrella body for 99 shelters across the country. These shelters provide essential care and support services for individuals affected by gender-based violence (GBV), offering safety, counselling, healing, empowerment to survivors as they rebuild their lives and in interrupting and breaking the cycle of violence.

The National Shelter Indaba comes on the backdrop of the recent land mark judgment delivered on 30 September 2024 by the Pretoria High Court that declared several sections of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 unconstitutional. These provisions were found to inadequately address sexual violence where the perpetrator held an unreasonable belief in the complainant’s consent, thereby permitting a flawed defence in cases of sexual assault.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the National Shelter Indaba planned as follows:

Date: Wednesday to Thursday, 16th and 17th October 2024

Time: 9h00

Venue: 150 Corner West Street and, Maude Street, Sky Hotel in Sandton, Gauteng Province

Virtually:

DSDTV:

https://dsdtv.org.za/video/the-shelter-indaba-2024/

X:

https://x.com/The_DSD/status/1845906422451634325

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SocialDevelopmentZA/live_videos/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/KcHX8RJA2SA?si=amxEPE1eH3E-6pY_

Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 / e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.         

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Mr Bathembu Futshane on 073 993 9391 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.