Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide for a period of three years, effective from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029. The appointment coincides with the beginning of Women's Month, a time when the President expects the Council to address gender-based violence and femicide, classified as a national disaster, by challenging harmful attitudes, advancing women's economic empowerment, strengthening law enforcement, and enhancing survivor-centred support.

According to South African Government News Agency, the government officially launched the 2026 Women's Month campaign on Saturday in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, under the theme: "Empowered Women Empower the Nation." The campaign highlights the critical role women play in South Africa's economy while acknowledging ongoing challenges such as limited access to finance, procurement opportunities, markets, information, technology, and business development support. These issues are further exacerbated by poverty, unemployment, unequal pay, discrimination, and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The appointments were made under section 6(1)(a) read with sections 6(2) and (3), and section 9(1)(a) of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (Act No. 9 of 2024). The Council is a statutory body tasked with providing strategic leadership in eliminating gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. It is responsible for coordinating a multi-sectoral and inter-sectoral approach to implementing the national strategy to address these issues across all levels, from national to community forums.

The President has appointed the following members to the Council: Dr. Ramalepe Lebogang Mathibe, Ms. Keitumetse Fatimata Moutloatse, Ms. Caroline Peters, Dr. Zubeda Dangor, Ms. Vuyisiwe Numalo, Mr. Anele Siswana, and Mr. TWM Limema. Dr. Mathibe has been designated as the Chairperson of the Council, and Welheminah R. (Shoki) Tshabalala has been appointed as the Deputy Chairperson, in accordance with section 6(6)(a) of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act.