Ramaphosa calls GBV a crisis as shutdown looms

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will now classify gender-based violence and femicide as a “crisis” that must be urgently addressed, amid looming nationwide protests by the advocacy group Women for Change, which is demanding the issue be declared a national disaster.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

Ramaphosa made the remarks yesterday on the sidelines of receiving the declaration from the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg.

He emphasised that progressive deliberations at the summit had strengthened calls for greater political commitment to advancing young people’s access to opportunities.

“It has called for the health and well-being of women and children to be prioritised and for greater representation of women in all facets of society.

“Gone should be the days when women are relegated to the back of everything that happens in society. We should actually be saying this is the century of women,” he said.

Ramaphosa added that women must take their rightful place in shaping global affairs.