South African women are taking unprecedented steps to protect themselves against rampant gender-based violence, with many learning to use firearms and organizing nationwide protests to demand government action. These efforts have gained momentum with a recent call for an economic shutdown and symbolic lie-downs across the country.
Gender-based violence in South Africa has reached alarming levels, with an average of 15 women killed every day, a figure that has risen by nearly 34% compared to the previous year. Between January and March of this year, official crime statistics recorded 137 murders and over 1,000 rapes of women, highlighting a pervasive crisis that activists say requires urgent intervention. The country experiences some of the world’s highest rates of such violence, with women being killed at a rate five times the global average, according to UN Women. This dire situation has spurred a grassroots movement aimed at forcing systemic change.
In response, women’s rights groups have launched a nationwide protest campaign, culminating in a ‘shutdown’ where women are urged to withdraw from economic activities for a day and participate in silent lie-downs for 15 minutes at noon local time. Dubbed the G20 Women’s Shutdown, the protest is scheduled for Friday and will occur in 15 locations across South Africa, including major cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. The movement has garnered international support, with allies in Eswatini, Kenya, and Namibia joining in, and a viral online component that includes changing social media profiles to purple—a color associated with GBV awareness.
The protests are backed by an online petition that has amassed over one million signatures, calling for the government to declare gender-based violence a national disaster. However, the National Disaster Management Centre has rejected this, stating it does not meet legal requirements, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that GBV was declared a national crisis in 2019. Activists from groups like Women for Change argue that despite existing legislation, implementation has been lacking, and they demand more concrete actions to address the scourge.
Amid government inaction, many women are taking personal safety into their own hands by learning to use firearms for self-defense. Organizations such as Girls on Fire, founded by Lynette Oxeley, provide training to women, most of whom have experienced violence firsthand. For instance, Prudence, a survivor of rape in 2022, joined the group after her case was dropped due to lost evidence, illustrating the failures in the justice system. Oxeley emphasizes that firearm use is a last resort and aims to empower women to break their silence and fight back.
The broader context of GBV in South Africa reflects deep-seated social issues, with activists noting that violence has become normalized in culture and social norms. The current protests build on years of advocacy, including previous marches and campaigns, but the recent spike in femicide cases has intensified calls for change. The involvement of celebrities and widespread public solidarity through the ‘purple movement’ has amplified the message, putting pressure on authorities to respond more effectively.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of the shutdown protest and ongoing advocacy could influence policy discussions, especially with the G20 Summit providing a platform for international attention. If the government heeds the calls, it might lead to strengthened enforcement of laws and increased resources for combating GBV. However, without significant shifts, women may continue to rely on self-defense measures, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive societal response to end the violence.
