South Africa’s streets echoed with grief, anger and determination as thousands marched in the G20 Women’s Shutdown on 21 November. Many carried the names of women whose lives were stolen — Uyinene Mrwetyana, Reeva Steenkamp, Tshegofatso Pule — symbols of a crisis that has cut deep into families and communities.
It was against this backdrop of collective mourning and resistance that President Cyril Ramaphosa took the global stage at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. He declared gender-based violence a national crisis, acknowledging the women and survivors who have been calling for action long before government responded.
Ramaphosa said no society can thrive while women and girls live in fear. His new commitments include a R5 billion fund, rapid policy reforms, and 200 dedicated sexual offences courts to support survivors seeking justice. Police officers, prosecutors and magistrates will undergo specialised training to prevent the secondary trauma many victims face in the system.
In 2026, schools will launch a campaign to challenge toxic ideas of masculinity — an attempt to reshape the attitudes that often fuel violence.
For many, these promises offer hope. But the emotional force behind Thursday’s protests makes one thing clear: survivors and their allies have become the country’s strongest agents of change, pushing South Africa toward a future where safety and dignity are non-negotiable.
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