Department gazettes National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill, 2021

The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities intends introducing the National Council on Gender-Based Violence  and Femicide Bill 2021 (NCGBVF Bill), to Parliament within the current financial year. The Bill will set the legal framework for the establishment of the National Council on GBVF which will coordinate the country’s response to the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide.

The Bill seeks to establish a multi-sectoral, independent and non-partisan advisory body, comprising of representatives from both government and civil society organisations to ensure effective coordination and implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

This envisaged structure will be called: National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide; and shall be accountable to a Board. The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Secretariat led by a Chief Executive Officer will provide technical and administrative support to the Council.

The Bill seeks:

To establish the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide;

To provide for the objects and functions of the Council;

To appoint the Board of the Council; to provide for the appointment of members of the Board; to provide for the term of office of members of the Board; to provide for the termination of membership of the Board; to provide for meetings of the Board; to provide for the establishment of committees of the Board; to provide for the appointment of an Executive Officer and the Secretariat of the Council;

To provide for the establishment of norms and standards for the provincial and local working groups; to provide for the making of regulations; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Source: Government of South Africa