Women’s rights groups across South Africa have called for nationwide demonstrations on Friday, urging the government to declare gender-based violence (GBV) a national disaster as the country grapples with some of the world’s highest rates of violence against women.
The movement, which began as a viral social media campaign, will culminate in a nationwide “G20 Women’s Shutdown” ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Supporters have changed their social media profile photos to purple, a colour widely associated with GBV awareness.
South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates globally, with women killed at a rate five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women. National crime data shows that 137 women were murdered and over 1,000 raped between January and March this year alone.
As part of Friday’s protest, women are being urged to stay away from work and school to “withdraw from the economy” for a day, and to participate in a 15-minute nationwide lie-down at noon, honouring the estimated 15 women murdered daily in the country. Lie-downs are scheduled in 15 locations across major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
The movement has also gained support from women in Eswatini, Kenya and Namibia, who plan to join the demonstrations. Participants are encouraged to wear black as a symbol of mourning and resistance.
The shutdown is organised by Women for Change, which has also led an online petition that has garnered over one million signatures demanding stronger government action.
However, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has rejected calls to classify GBV as a national disaster, saying it does not meet legal criteria.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at the G20 Social Summit on Thursday, noted that the government declared GBV and femicide a national crisis in 2019, but activists argue that little has changed.
Women for Change spokesperson Cameron Kasambala criticised the lack of implementation and transparency:
The movement has received strong support online, including from Grammy-winning singer Tyla, who joined thousands in adopting purple-themed profile images.
Despite widespread participation, some women report workplace backlash for wanting to join the protest. Others, frustrated by slow government action, have sought alternative measures.
Lynette Oxeley, founder of Girls on Fire, trains women in firearm self-defence—legal in South Africa with a valid licence. Many members have survived rape, assault, or robbery.
One survivor, Prudence, who joined the group after being raped in 2022, said her fight for justice collapsed when her rape kit went missing.
While noting that guns are a last resort, Oxeley said the initiative is about empowerment.
