Gender-Based Violence And Femicide Declared A National Disaster As Minister Tolashe Calls For Urgent, United Action

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By DSD writer.

  • Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) officially declared a national disaster, reinforcing the severity of the crisis and enabling urgent, coordinated national response measures.
  • ⁠The Department of Social Development (DSD) strengthens survivor support, including shelters, counselling services and improved cross-sector coordination with justice, health and policing systems.
  • ⁠Festive-season readiness enhanced, with the GBV Command Centre capacitated to respond to the expected rise in distress calls during this high-risk period.

South Africa has entered a historic moment in its fight against violence directed at women, children, persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) communities. The Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, has welcomed the decision by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Bongani Elias Sithole, to classify Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as a national disaster.


This declaration, made under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, reflects the severity of the crisis and underscores the need for coordinated, sustained and nationwide action. Minister Tolashe emphasised that this step reinforces the urgency to confront one of the most pervasive and devastating social challenges facing the country.


For DSD, the classification strengthens its mandate to protect survivors and support the most vulnerable. It allows for expanded access to shelters, safe spaces, psychosocial counselling and community-based prevention programmes. The declaration also improves coordination across social development, criminal justice, health, policing and education sectors, ensuring that survivors receive timely and effective support.


Minister Tolashe noted that this decision confirms that GBVF is not a private or isolated matter, but a national emergency demanding united action. She highlighted that the classification enhances national capacity for monitoring and reporting, while ensuring that community organisations and partners remain aligned with the disaster management framework.


As the country approaches the festive season, a period that historically sees a sharp increase in cases of violence within households, the department has strengthened the capacity of the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre. The Centre traditionally receives a surge in call volumes during this period, and additional measures have been put in place to ensure swift and effective responses to distress calls.


“As we enter the festive season, a time when violence often escalates behind closed doors, government calls on families, communities, faith-based structures and all social partners to join hands in protecting women, children and all vulnerable persons. The declaration of GBVF as a national disaster is a call to action. It signals a new era of urgency, accountability and collective responsibility. As the Department of Social Development, we stand firm in our commitment to respond, care, support and bring healing to all survivors,” said Minister Tolashe.