#GBVSummit: This is how SA will tackle gender-based violence

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The presidential summit on gender-based violence and femicide comes to an end on Friday 2 November in Centurion, Pretoria. The two-day meeting was one of 24 demands that were delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa during the national #TotalShutdown marches in August.

On the first day, Ramaphosa announced funding will be made available for government’s “one stop” rape care services. Over the past few years, Thuthuzela Care Centres have been on the brink of shutting down due to lack funding. Activists described Ramaphosa’s commitment as “one of the biggest victories” of the summit.

Ramaphosa also said government must develop a national sexual offenders list. Survivors from different backgrounds also shared their experiences with violence.

Want to catch up on Day 1 of the summit? Watch the president’s speech and some of the harrowing stories of abuse

https://www.facebook.com/HealtheNewsSA/videos/326382827943816/

https://www.facebook.com/HealtheNewsSA/videos/1417317891737056/

Delegates were tasked with discussing a way forward which would be implemented in a plan of action collaboration between government and civil society.

Watch as delegates deliberate over key points to be included in the declaration

https://www.facebook.com/HealtheNewsSA/videos/297628024177177/

Professor Olive Shisana, Special Advisor of Social Policy to the president, said delegates agreed to allocate necessary resources to the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. The two-day conference was challenging, however delegates are hopeful at the was has been agreed upon.

The declaration has been adopted by over 1200 delegates, said Social Development Minister Susan Shabangu. This adoption therefore means that the document is binding. Shabangu says this is a historic summit because it includes civil society. It’s not government alone that is responsible to implement, timelines have also been put in order to ensure implementation.

Delegates committed to supporting and eradicating gender-based violence and femicide through establishing a multi-sectoral interim structure that will be made up of at least 51% of civil society. This structure will be responsible of ensuring that the six months deadline to implement some of the commitments is met.