Activists call for stronger action after government classifies GBVF as national disaster

November 24, 2025 23

Government’s recent announcement labelling Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a National Crisis at the G20 Social Summit — followed by its official classification as a National Disaster — has sparked mixed reactions, with experts warning that the move may not have the practical impact many expect.

GBV advocacy group, the Tears Foundation, says the messaging has created confusion, as the National Disaster Management Centre’s classification does not equate to a full national disaster declaration.

A formal declaration would be required to unlock extraordinary powers, fast-track resources, and compel coordinated emergency interventions. For now, none of those mechanisms have been activated.

Speaking to YNews, Tears Foundation’s Celeste Louw, said the inconsistent language — shifting between “national crisis” and “national disaster” without any additional powers or funding attached — risks rendering the announcement another symbolic gesture, similar to promises made in 2019 and 2020.

Gender and development specialist, Sixolile Ngcobo, also weighed in, noting that while the G20 summit was an appropriate platform for the announcement, it does not carry the weight of a formal national disaster.

“Because when you announce something as a national disaster, then you are immediately going to have an emergency plan. And that emergency plan is also going to be funded. And it will also be operating at a cabinet level. And I have not had any of those things up to date, because when the announcement is made, then we also need to have a lead minister who is then allocated to lead on dealing with this crisis, ” Ngcobo said.

Ngcobo emphasized that a crisis declaration alone does not activate emergency powers or address systemic failures.

“So at this stage, it’s really more like a wait-and-see type of thing. And it’s an announcement that is necessary, but it’s a wait-and-see because I don’t know what comes next. We haven’t heard anything yet.”

GBVF Classified as a National Disaster

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa welcomes the NDMC’s decision to classify Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act.

🔗 Full statement: https://t.co/CCwK5UzMs9 pic.twitter.com/d0Gt9zO0yM

— NationalCoGTA 🇿🇦 (@NationalCoGTA) November 21, 2025