By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) embarked on a march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, against gender-based violence and femicide.
They hand over a memorandum of demands to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The march took place as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign to end violence against women and children.
The league’s secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba says they are calling for decisive action against gender-based violence.
“It is against this background of the consistent onslaught against women of this country that as Women’s League in collaboration with all structures of the mass democratic movement, our alliance component, the progressive women’s movement of South Africa, faith-based organizations, the broader civil society and other political formations has resolved to intensify our advocacy for the implementation and strengthening of national prevention strategies.”
Nqaba said the league was committed to campaigning against all forms of violence. And it will continue to advocate for meaningful interventions.
The league demands several key actions, including stricter no-bail measures from the courts.
She also called for mandatory training for police and judicial officials to ensure that GBVF cases are handled with sensitivity and effectiveness. Additionally, she highlighted a need for a review of the parole system for those convicted of rape.
Nqaba also emphasised the importance of implementing a minimum life sentence for perpetrators of rape.
Former ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini told reporters their march is important because there are high cases of women’s abuse and femicide in the country. “We are here to pledge our solidarity with women killed in Gender-based violence (GBV),” she said, adding that GBV does not discriminate and affects women of all classes and races.
This week, while officiating at the launch of the campaign, which runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, in the Rustenburg, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said it requires a full year of action, not just 16 days.
Meanwhile Gauteng has recorded a sharp increase in sexual offences in the second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
This emerged during the release of the provincial crime statistics in Boksburg in Johannesburg.
Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni says Sexual offences and rape are a concern and when we outline our presentation in terms of crime statistics, we have indicated some of the measures which we are trying to do and we really appeal to the community to work closely with us.”
This year’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign theme is ‘United for Justice, ending GBV and femicide in our lifetime’.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi who joined the ANC Women’s League march to the Union Buildings, said its concerning that gender-based violence cases keep on rising in Gauteng.
“Many other crimes are going down. It’s only gender-based violence. That is very stubborn. It’s galloping and we need to be honest. The first area to be honest with is the justice system. It needs to be strengthened and give us support.