South African Women Call for Paid Leave Ahead of National GBV Shutdown

Employers Urged to Back Women in National GBV Protest

With South Africa’s alarming gender-based violence crisis continuing unabated, activists are urging employers to grant paid leave to women who plan to participate in the Women For Change (WFC) national shutdown on 21 November.

Songezo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi, was vocal about the need for workplace support. “This is not a political issue; this is about the safety and dignity of women and LGBTQI+ communities,” he said. “South Africa is too violent for women. This is a crisis, a state of emergency, and we must respond. Men also need to take responsibility. I ask all employers to give women paid leave for this day.”

What the National Shutdown Entails

WFC’s plan is a bold, symbolic protest: participants are asked to withdraw all labour, whether paid or unpaid, refrain from spending money, and take part in a 15-minute lie-down at noon, representing the average number of women murdered daily in South Africa.

The shutdown is part of a growing movement demanding urgent government action against femicide and gender-based violence, which experts have long labelled a national emergency.

Government Response: Sympathy or Insufficient Action?

President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the severity of the crisis, describing it as “totally unacceptable” and calling on all citizens to take action. “We must respond because GBV is another pandemic. Every individual should participate,” he said.

However, WFC criticised his statements as inadequate. “Why is it so hard to pull women and children into safety? Why is it so hard to declare GBV a national disaster?” they asked, emphasising that women are simply demanding the basic right to stay alive.

High-Profile Support Adds Momentum

National rugby captain Siya Kolisi publicly voiced support for the shutdown. Following South Africa’s victory over Italy, he urged fans to wear purpleshifting from the usual greento visibly stand with women against femicide.

Social media has amplified the call, with hashtags promoting both the shutdown and the message that gender-based violence is a societal problem requiring collective responsibility.

A Societal Reckoning

South Africa continues to grapple with staggering femicide statistics, and WFC’s shutdown has become a critical platform for drawing attention to systemic failures. Activists insist this is more than a protest: it is a national plea for structural change, demanding government accountability, community vigilance, and workplace support for women.

Employers, policymakers, and citizens alike are now being asked to confront the crisis head-on, ensuring that women are heard, protected, and empowered to take a stand without financial penalty.