How digital activism is helping fight GBVF in South Africa

Sustainable societies are those that recognise, value and compensate the labour and economic contribution of women

Delivering his keynote address at the G20 Social Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa declares gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis. 

This has been described as a significant step toward strengthening South Africa’s multi-sectoral response to “one of the most devastating and persistent human rights violations affecting women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.”

The President stated that sustainable societies are those that recognise, value and compensate the labour and economic contribution of women.

“We cannot build societies rooted in equality unless those societies uphold the rights of women and girls. No society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continues and the agency of women is denied.

“The violence perpetrated by men against women erodes the social fabric of nations. It imposes a heavy burden that constrains development and weakens inclusive growth,’” he said.

Symbolic protest across the country highlighting GBVF crisis in South Africa

This comes after the Women for Change organisation called for a symbolic protest today, Friday 21 November, to highlight the social and economic consequences of violence against women, children and members of the queer community. 

Addressing delegates at this year’s Women In Festival, Women for Change Spokesperson Cameron Kasambala said: “Let’s put Africa to a standstill. Let’s show them what happens when they ignore the fact that women and queer people are killed every single day. Let’s make them notice the social and economic consequences of our absence.

“On the 21st of November, 2025, we ask women, members of the queer community, to refrain from engaging in hate and unrelated violence. We ask that they do not engage with the economy,’” Kasambala said. 

For the past month, Women for Change has been running an online petition calling on the government to declare gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national disaster. The petition has been signed by more than 1.1 million supporters, both within South Africa and internationally.

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Many South Africans have turned their social pictures on social media platforms to purple, in solidarity with the organisation. 

Speaking to ESI Africa, Boitumelo Lesala, Anti-GBVF Activist at Women for Change shared that using digital platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok allow them to connect with supporters and survivors across South Africa, Africa and internationally, fostering community and advancing their advocacy for reform.

“So the colour purple symbolises femininity, symbolises the power that women hold. I know at times a lot of people will recognise, will associate womanhood or feminism with pink, but purple is us taking back our power. 

“This is us taking up space, taking space and ensuring that we signify that we as women are important. We contribute also to society; we are not going to be just marginalised or put at a lower level or at the bottom of the barrel. Instead, we’re going to use our power, our intention is going to be set clear: we deserve to live freely, we deserve to be protected, we deserve to thrive.”

Declaring gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis

Meanwhile, Sabrina Walter, Founder of Women For Change has welcomed Ramaphosa’s declaring gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis. 

In a statement released, Walter stated: “For almost ten years, I have listened to the most horrific stories imaginable. I have witnessed the unbearable grief of families who had to identify the bodies of the women they loved. I have sat with survivors who carry their trauma in every breath they take. Women For Change has carried these stories with deep honour and relentless determination.

“Today, that persistence has been recognised. We have won. Our petition – backed by more than 1.1 million people across the world – demanding Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) be declared a National Disaster – has succeeded.” ESI

Cover photo:  Women For Change