To ensure that the issue of gender-based violence receives the highest attention, the responsibility for institutionalising the NSP across all organs of state was placed in the Presidency. End GBVF Collective was established as a multi-sectoral structure to drive collaborative implementation. Government departments are required to submit monthly reports to the Presidency outlining their respective achievements toward the targets set in the NSP. This has been key to tracking progress We set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate the implementation of the NSP across government departments and report regularly to Cabinet.
These new laws afford greater protection to survivors of gender-based violence and ensure that perpetrators are no longer able to use legislative loopholes to evade prosecution. Other reforms that will strengthen the fight against gender-based violence include the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill that is currently before Parliament. The Victim Support Services Bill has been approved by Cabinet and published for public comment. In 2020, we also passed the Cybercrimes Act, which affords protection against sex crimes like so- called revenge porn, threats of sexual violence, blackmail, and other acts that disproportionately affect women, especially young girls. The Department of Justice and Correctional Services is seized with implementing reforms in the criminal justice system to ensure that the system prioritises survivors and their needs. There has been a particular focus on the accessibility and functioning of Sexual Offences Courts. Since the last Presidential Summit, 83 courts have been upgraded into Sexual Offences Courts. We have prioritised support for survivors through adequate sheltering services and one-stop services for victims of trauma.
LEGISLATION
The Bill that will pave the way for the establishment of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council is currently before Parliament. We must acknowledge that this Bill took too long to get to Parliament due to a rather long period of consultation, but we are hopeful that it has been enriched by the extensive engagements that have been undertaken. To ensure that a gendered lens is applied to public finances and resource allocation, in 2019 we adopted a framework on gender-responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and auditing. This is in the early stages of implementation and we are working to institutionalise it at local government level. I said at the inaugural Summit in 2018 that we would fast-track the review of existing laws and policies to ensure that they are more effective at preventing gender-based violence, providing greater support and care for survivors, and bringing perpetrators to justice. In January this year, I signed into law three key pieces of legislation, namely the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act.
photo by: Thando Gazide- DWYPD 102
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