2025 marks the mid-term review of the NSP on GBVF

2025 marks the mid-term review of the NSP on GBVF

Date: 12 Feb 2025

By Naledi Selebano

In 2025, South Africa will observe the midterm review of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF), a critical initiative stemming from the country’s first Presidential Summit on Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) held in 2018. A pivotal outcome of this summit was the adoption of a comprehensive declaration that prompted the formulation of the NSP on GBVF. This strategic plan represents a key government framework aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of GBVF, which continues to inflict harm on society.

The NSP on GBVF is designed to have a ten-year lifespan, running from 2020 to 2030, and was developed in 2019 by the Interim Steering Committee (ISC) on GBVF. This committee was composed of a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from various government departments, members of civil society organizations (CSOs), international development agencies, academics, and other important contributors to the discourse on GBVF. The official implementation of the NSP commenced on May 1, 2020.

To effectively combat the crisis of GBVF, the NSP provides a multi-sectoral and coherent strategic policy and programming framework aimed at strengthening a coordinated national response to GBVF. Central to the NSP are six foundational pillars that guide its approach:

1. Accountability, Coordination and Leadership: Ensuring that various sectors and stakeholders are held responsible for their roles in combating GBVF and coordinating efforts across entities.
2. Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion: Initiatives focused not only on preventing violence from occurring but also on fostering strong community ties to mitigate the underlying social issues that contribute to GBVF.
3. Protection, Safety, and Justice: Enhancing access to justice for victims and survivors, and improving safety measures, making sure that protective services are effectively implemented.
4. Response, Care, Support and Healing: Providing comprehensive care and support services for survivors of GBVF to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.
5. Economic Power: Empowering survivors economically, which is critical for their independence and stability, and addressing economic factors that may perpetuate cycles of violence.
6. Research and Information Systems: Developing robust data collection and research frameworks to monitor progress and adapt strategies based on evidence and evolving needs.

During the 2022/2023 financial year, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) assessed the government’s implementation of the NSP. The review aimed to measure progress during the NSP’s first two years and identify areas needing improvement. The CGE concluded that the delay in establishing the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) has significantly hindered South Africa’s efforts to enhance accountability and effectively address GBVF.

Positive developments included the implementation of Pillar 3, whereby three critical Bills were signed into law, marking progress in the legal framework for GBV survivors. Pillar 5 introduced economic empowerment as a key element, recognising that economic dependency traps women in abusive situations. Despite some initiatives, however, overall progress on many defined indicators was slow, with advancements mainly in “soft indicators,” such as plans for income generation projects for survivors, rather than in substantial targets such as the establishment of a land fund or initiatives addressing unpaid care work.

In Pillar 6, some progress was noted, but also significant gaps, particularly in creating a comprehensive management information system that links various government departments.

Broadly, despite some progress being recorded overall, several significant challenges persisted in implementing the NSP. These include inadequate planning, insufficient resource allocation, and lack of effective coordination among key implementing entities, which hamper the overall success of initiatives.

It has been three years since the CGE conducted its initial comprehensive review of the NSP, revealing systemic issues that still need to be addressed. With the mid-term review approaching, there is an increasing expectation that assessments will highlight meaningful advancements in strategy execution and impact. However, given the alarming rates of GBVF in the country, which continues to be one of the most pressing threats to democracy and societal well-being, it is cautioned that substantial improvements must be made to provide effective support and protection for individuals and communities.