The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is disgusted and deeply concerned with the extent of Gender-Based Violence and femicide that have clouded the country, more especially when the country is from observing the National Women month, celebrating the life and the strength demonstrated by the women of 1956.

COSATU is shocked by the normalisation of this act and the continuous hateful killings of women and children and the manner in which it is escalating. We, therefore, call upon all communities to work hand in hand with the authorities in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and they rot in jail.

The Federation is calling upon the President of the Country to act swiftly in implementing the Declaration of the Presidential Summit against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide held on November 2018.

·      Immediately set up an Interim Structure with an objective of establishing a national, multi-stakeholder council. The Interim structure was to establish a functional council within six months championed by the President.

·         National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide was to be developed within six months.

·         Fast track the review of existing laws and policies on GBV to be victim-centred.

The Summit warned the government and leaders that the rate of GBV and Femicide in South Africa has turned into a National Crisis and amongst the highest at the global level.

COSATU calls for the immediate fast-tracking by government the reviewal of laws on Gender-Based Violence and not to allow Bail for the offenders of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

Issued by COSATU

Gertrude Mtsweni (Gender Co-ordinator)

Organising Unit

Tel: +27 11 339-4911 / Direct: 010 219 1322|+27 82 829 2966|E-mail: gertrude@cosatu.org.za