South Africans are preparing for major demonstrations today, Friday 21 November, as thousands of women and supporters are expected to gather across the country to demand urgent action against gender-based violence (GBV).

One of the largest gatherings is anticipated at Cape Town’s Sea Point Promenade, where participants wearing black will call for GBV and femicide to be declared a national disaster.

The shutdown, led by Women for Change, follows petitions that have amassed more than a million signatures. Women and members of the LGBTQI+ community are being urged to pause all paid and unpaid labour, with coordinated 15-minute “lie downs” at midday to honour the estimated 15 women killed daily.

South Africa continues to face severe levels of violence against women, with almost 6 000 women killed in the past year and more than 100 rapes reported every day. Activists warn these figures are only a fraction of the truth.

The Trauma Centre’s Marguerite Holthauzen says that only one in 13 rape cases is reported, adding: “Only 10% of rape cases that are reported to authorities result in a conviction.”

Campaigners hope today’s action will intensify pressure on the government and spark deeper conversations about the cultural roots of GBV.

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