19 March 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds Parliament’s adoption of the National Council on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide Bill.  COSATU supports the Bill and its envisaged Council as a necessary step in the fight against the pandemic of GBV and femicide that has become shamefully synonymous with South Africa.

The Bill will establish the National Council on GBV and Femicide to oversee government’s response, across departments and spheres of government, to this national crisis.  It will include leadership of government, civil society and organised labour.  Whilst this Bill and the Council are not be a magic wand, they will be a important focal point for government and society to hold the state accountable for what it is doing to turn the tide and to mobilise society to play its role as government on its own cannot win this battle.

Whilst COSATU supports this Bill and any effort to tackle this national tragedy, it will only be effective if the relevant organs of state, e.g. the police, courts, hospitals, schools amongst others are adequately resourced, if we enforce the rule of law with the necessary will and if ordinary citizens play their role and report those who abuse our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, colleagues and ordinary women and girls. 

We cannot be proud of our progress as a nation with the ever-rising numbers of women and girls, members of the LGBTQIA plus communities and other vulnerable persons, subjected to the most horrific crimes at home, in their communities, at schools and universities, on public transport and their workplaces. 

Issued by COSATU 

For further information please contact:
Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator 
Cell: 082 785 0687