Over a thousand demonstrators gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, demanding an end to gender-based violence. Participants from across South Africa, many wearing purple, called for the government to treat the issue as a national disaster. The protest coincided with the nation's hosting of the G20 Summit, a platform organizers used to draw international attention to the crisis.
This nationwide action followed President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent declaration of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. Protesters expressed hope that this official designation would lead to increased resources and more urgent governmental intervention. The demonstration was built upon a growing public movement, which includes a petition with nearly a million signatures advocating for concrete policy changes.
This nationwide action followed President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent declaration of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. Protesters expressed hope that this official designation would lead to increased resources and more urgent governmental intervention. The demonstration was built upon a growing public movement, which includes a petition with nearly a million signatures advocating for concrete policy changes.
