Urgent Call to Address Systemic Gaps in South Africa’s Fight Against GBVF.
Written by: Naledi Selebano
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has, for almost two decades, dedicated efforts towards monitoring the South African government’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Through a series of investigative and research reports, the CGE has identified significant gaps within the system that hinder effective responses to the scourge of GBVF.
South Africa is globally recognized for its strong legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of women and girls, including a world-class Constitution. However, the main challenge lies in implementing these laws. Key obstacles include inadequate coordination among government departments, insufficient resource allocation, inadequate capacity building for frontline support and enforcement personnel, weak monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and poor accountability mechanisms. A primary concern remains the widespread lack of trust in the justice system, as many women and girls choose not to report incidents of violence due to fear of retaliation and stigma.
The CGE reports provide a comprehensive overview of the experiences faced by victims, highlighting significant shortcomings in the government’s commitment to a victim-centred approach as outlined in the Victims Charter. Between 2009 and 2016, the reports revealed that Thuthuzela Care Centres, designed to operate 24 hours a day and to facilitate a collaborative, multi-departmental strategy to encourage reporting and enhance prosecution rates, often fell short of this ideal. In numerous instances, these centres were not operational at critical times, and even when they were open, they frequently lacked essential services such as nursing staff and psychosocial support when victims needed them most, often after hours and on weekends. Tragically, this left victims with no choice but to spend nights on hospital benches, exposed to discomfort and uncertainty.
Furthermore, the inadequate shelter capacity highlighted a stark gap in support for victims, leaving many without a safe refuge. The police services were also hindered by a shortage of detectives in their Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) units, further compromising victims’ access to justice. Inadequately resourced sexual offences courts struggled to meet the distinct needs of those seeking justice, compounding the challenges that victims faced.
These troubling findings were echoed in subsequent CGE reports assessing police services and the functionality of Thuthuzela Care Centres (2023 – 2024), as well as in investigative reports on access to justice (2025), underscoring a persistent pattern of neglect that demanded urgent attention and reform.
A noteworthy observation is that these systemic failures identified by the CGE are occurring in tandem with a pervasive culture characterized by harmful social norms and detrimental stereotypes about women and girls. These intertwined challenges not only exacerbate the issues at hand but also create significant barriers to progress and empowerment for women and girls in society.
As a final thought, although commendable laws and comprehensive strategies have been established, it is essential that women, girls, and queer individuals receive tangible support and protective measures, not merely the promises of policies or strategies. The South African government must pause during these 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Girls to critically assess whether all necessary measures have been implemented to confront this pervasive scourge. True progress demands concrete actions and resources that ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable communities, something documents alone cannot guarantee.