The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) stands in solidarity with the millions of South Africans and the international community at large, in marking the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign on 25 November to 10 December. This initiative by the United Nations commences on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against women, an annual recommitment to end the scourge of the atrocities suffered by woman at the hands of men.

The campaign comes at a historic time of a long-overdue decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa of declaring gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster. For years COSATU has been advocating for this progressive step seeing the staggering levels of the epidemic and its catastrophic impact. This will ensure that the state expands resources and intensifies its approach in uprooting the tranches of this phenomenon.

Statistics of the harsh realities in families, communities and workplaces have reached unprecedented levels that cannot be ignored. The figures hit home for many as they are a constant reminder of personal losses of loved ones. The 2025 femicide report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women is an indication of urgent action, having recorded a staggering 83,000 women and girls killed intentionally, 60 percent at the hands of their partners or family members.

Whilst notable strides have been made in eradicating GBVF, such as the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act and the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, COSATU hopes that the President’s recent move will propel law enforcement and other key government departments to ramp up their enforcement of our progressive gender-based violence legislation to ensure tangible results, including blocking shortcomings in the criminal justice system.

This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign: “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)” also correlates with the acute need to boost conversations with boys and men, a resolution by COSATU’s Central Committee held this year to continue to mobilise, raise awareness and dialogue about gender-based violence (GBV), and to organise a summit to bring men together in a Bua-monna summit to discuss and address issues contributing to GBV. 

As the international community rises, may the next 16 days bear fruit by decreasing the numbers, changing mindsets and embolden silent voices.

Issued by COSATUNonzuzo Dlamini (COSATU Communication Officer)

Mobile: 066 194 3619

Email: nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za