Civil society and government dialogues to address Gender Based Violence and Femicide problem

It is now two years since the development and adoption of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF). Despite progress made in the implementation of the NSP-GBVF, the country is still confronted with the brutality of GBVF meted out against women, children, persons with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community.

To speed up the implementation of the NSP-GBVF by protecting the most vulnerable groups, the Department of Social Development will on Monday, 17 October, host dialogues in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Roots Café in Potchefstroom, North West Province.

Civil Society Organisations including government representatives from the Departments of Health, Basic Education, Justice and Correctional Services, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) will participate in the planned dialogues to take stock of the work done in the fight against GBVF.

This initiative, which is also part of Social Development Month currently in full swing under the theme, “United in the Fight Against Poverty and Other Social ills,” is also a build-up to the upcoming Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

The Department of Social Development is responsible for the implementation of Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender Based Violence and Femicide which focuses on the provision and strengthening of an integrated community and institutional Response, Care, Support and Healing to GBVF survivors and their families.

Source: Government of South Africa