Women's rights organizations in South Africa have initiated nationwide protests, advocating for gender-based violence (GBV) to be classified as a national disaster. The campaign, which started on social media, is scheduled to culminate in a national "shutdown" on Friday, preceding the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Participants, including public figures, have expressed solidarity by adopting purple as a symbol of GBV awareness on social media platforms.
South Africa experiences elevated levels of GBV, with the rate of women killed reported to be five times the global average, according to UN Women. From January to March of the current year, official crime statistics indicate that 137 women were murdered and over 1,000 rapes were reported.
Protest organizers have encouraged women to abstain from work or school on Friday, termed as a one-day "withdrawal from the economy," and to participate in a 15-minute silent demonstration at 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT) to honor victims. Participants are also advised to wear black as a symbol of mourning and resistance. The "G20 Women's Shutdown" event is organized by Women for Change, which also leads the online campaign. An online petition supporting the government taking stronger action against GBV has gathered over one million signatures.
The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has stated that GBV does not meet the legal criteria for designation as a national disaster. In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared gender-based violence and femicide a "national crisis" during the G20 Social Summit. However, activists argue that subsequent changes have been minimal, advocating for greater governmental action and implementation of existing legislation.
Public engagement in the "purple movement" includes Grammy-award winning singer Tyla and other citizens. One professor traveled to Johannesburg to participate in the silent protest, citing personal safety concerns. Some women have reported facing opposition from employers regarding their participation in the protest.
In response to perceived governmental inaction, some women have pursued self-defense training. Lynette Oxeley founded "Girls on Fire" to train women in firearm use, which is legal in South Africa for self-defense with a valid license. Many members of the group have experienced violence. A participant identified as Prudence joined after being raped in 2022, reporting that her case was withdrawn due to the loss of her rape kit. Oxeley emphasizes that firearm use is a "last resort," focusing on empowering women to resist and challenge their perception of themselves.