Levels of GBV is unconscionable, says Cachalia

Government’s designation of gender-based violence as a national disaster intensified debate during SONA 2026, with MPs and civil society pressing for clearer plans, funding commitments and measurable action. Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) featured prominently during this year’s State of the Nation Address and the parliamentary debate that followed, carrying added weight after government designated GBVF as a national disaster late last year. In his address, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated the significance of that decision, framing it as a mechanism to intensify the state’s response.

“Last year, we classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster,” he said, adding that the designation enables government to “better coordinate our response and direct efforts towards the most impactful interventions.” Building on the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, Ramaphosa committed to mobilising all sectors of society to challenge harmful attitudes and practices, while strengthening the criminal justice system. He pledged “faster investigation, improved case management, expanded sexual offences courts and action against repeat offenders”, alongside scaling up survivor-centred support services, including shelters, one-stop service centres, rural outreach programmes and the placement of social workers at police stations. The tone was reinforced during the parliamentary debate. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia underscored the severity of the crisis: “The levels of gender-based violence, rape and feminicide is unconscionable.