Just Not Enough: Why the GBVF Disaster Declaration Falls Short

South Africa has long grappled with a relentless gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis. Recently, the government officially declared GBVF a national disaster, a move some heralded as a bold step. But for experts and activists on the ground, the announcement feels more symbolic than transformative.

“Frankly, it’s just an attempt by the government to be seen to be responding to pressure,” says Brenda Madumise-Pajibo, director of the feminist organisation Wise4Afrika. Her concern reflects a growing frustration that while rhetoric changes, daily realities for women and girls remain perilous.

What the Declaration Means (and Doesn’t)

According to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the decision followed a thorough reassessment of reports from government bodies and civil society. The persistent threats to life from GBVF now meet the threshold of a potential disaster under national law, he said.

“The national executive now carries primary responsibility for coordinating and managing this disaster,” Hlabisa explained, adding that existing contingency plans across government would be fully activated. He urged all state organs, communities, and the private sector to intensify their GBVF prevention and response efforts.

While the declaration frames GBVF as a national priority, experts warn that in practice, the impact may be limited.

A National Crisis Requires More Than Words

“If this were classified as a national crisis instead of a disaster, it would have commanded more attentionmore resources, manpower, and energy focused on prevention,” says Willem Els from the Institute for Security Studies. South Africa’s police are already stretched thin by high crime levels, making it difficult to give GBVF the concentrated focus it desperately needs.

Declaring a national disaster shifts responsibility onto the state machinery, but critics argue it doesn’t inherently increase funding or frontline policing capacity. “It’s a necessary statement, but not a gamechanger,” Els adds.

Partnerships Are Key

Despite these limitations, there is cautious optimism. Senior criminologist Witness Maluleke of the University of Limpopo points out that the declaration signals a prioritisation of GBVF at the highest levels. He stresses the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, civil society, activists, and concerned citizens.

“The holistic approachwhere public, private, and community stakeholders work togetheris the most effective way to address GBV,” Maluleke says. “Law enforcement alone cannot solve this.”

Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz

Social media has been abuzz with reactions ranging from hope to skepticism. Many South Africans applaud the government for officially recognising the scale of the crisis. Yet others point out that real change will come from concrete measures: better policing, swift justice for perpetrators, and accessible support systems for survivors.

Activists also note the absence of a broader discussion on the socio-economic roots of GBVF, including poverty, unemployment, and patriarchal norms, which continue to fuel the crisis.

Moving Beyond Symbolism

Declaring GBVF a national disaster should be a wake-up callbut the country can’t afford to stop there. Experts stress that meaningful action requires funding, strategic policing, community engagement, and long-term preventive programs. Without these, the label risks being just thata label.

As Madumise-Pajibo warns, “We need action on the ground, not just statements in government offices. Lives depend on it.”

South Africa has the laws, frameworks, and civil society networks to fight GBVF. The challenge now is turning recognition into results, before more lives are lost.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com