Women for Change: SA shows up to end GBVF!

Women across the country made a powerful statement on Friday, as South Africa hosts the G20 Summit. The nation turned symbolically purple as more than a million people rallied behind the Women for Change Shutdown, a nationwide protest spotlighting the urgent crisis of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) - forcing the government to declare it a national disaster. 

What was a planned 15-minute sit-out evolved into a sweeping act of resistance, capturing global attention as Johannesburg welcomed world leaders. Across the country, women and allies withdrew their labour, closed their wallets, dressed in black, and lay down in a 15-minute silent standstill at noon to honour the estimated fifteen women murdered each day in South Africa. 

Overwhelmingly Personal

The scale of the protest - and the deeply human stories behind it - reflected a country grappling with a crisis that can no longer be ignored. In Cape Town, protest groups moved through the city centre and across the Atlantic Seaboard.

In Gauteng, the solidarity was unmistakable. “The support for the shutdown in Johannesburg was beautiful to witness,” said Liesl Bartlett, Time Out City Editor for Gauteng. “As a mother raising daughters, this is incredibly important to me. They should not have to grow up in fear of becoming a statistic.”  

Read : A Day without Women: Johannesburg shuts down to spotlight GBV 

For many, the crisis feels both national and intimate.

For Amy Fraser, Time Out South Africa’s Content Coordinator, the stats carry a devastating weight. “Fifteen women are murdered every day in South Africa. It’s hard not to tear up when reading this statistic, but what’s often overlooked is that these are not just numbers. They were people, mothers, friends, grandmothers, cousins, sisters, and every day is a reminder that anyone could be next."

Time Out South Africa’s Social Media Manager, Ishani Chetty, described the everyday fear women face. "As South African women, we shouldn't have to live in fear every day. The rate of GBV and femicide in this country leaves us shackled to anxiety, it's an endless cycle we live in and it must end." 

"I have been brought to tears, with a deep heartache for every woman who has lost their lives at the hands of GBV. Uyinene a victim of horrific act of GBV was raped and murdered two days before my birthday. Each year that passes, I think of her with a heavy heart. This movement is the start towards a revolution against GBV for we as women have had enough and will not stand by without being heard, without tangible and real change happening,” added Chetty. 

And it is overwhelming to consider the scale of the issue. I, personally, feel an immense amount of responsibility for my two sons to grow up as respectful, caring partners. I do believe systemic change can turn the tide - and that it starts in our homes, in how we treat one another. There are decent, good men out there. Keep rising up with us! Our young men are desperate for good role models.

A historic shift, but it's only the beginning

Women for Change has spent nearly a decade advocating for accountability in addressing GBV. Having their petition, backed by more than 1.1 million signatures worldwide, has triggered the urgent and necessary government action. 

"This moment feels impossible to describe."  

They confirmed that although the National Disaster declaration by government has been signed today, it will need a continued action plan and timeline. Keep an eye on their platform for future updates.