South Africa is witnessing a historic moment today as women across the country join a nationwide “Purple Shutdown” — just hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at the G20 Social Summit that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) will officially be classified as a National Disaster.
The declaration — confirmed by the Presidency and multiple government departments — follows years of pressure from activists and a petition signed by more than 1.1 million people demanding urgent action.
Ramaphosa’s G20 Statement Sparks Immediate Action
Speaking at the G20 in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa acknowledged the severity of South Africa’s GBV crisis, describing it as a national emergency requiring coordinated intervention.
He noted that while GBV was labelled a “national crisis” in 2019, the current levels of violence — among the highest in the world — necessitate a stronger, formal designation as a National Disaster.
Activists say the declaration is long overdue.
Women Withdraw From the Economy Today
In response, women’s rights groups — led by Women for Change — mobilised a nationwide shutdown today (Friday).
Women across the country have stayed away from work, school, and economic activity, calling attention to the staggering statistics:
- South African women are killed five times more often than the global average (UN Women).
- Between January and March this year, 137 women were murdered and more than 1,000 raped.
At exactly 12:00 PM, protesters lay down for 15 minutes in silence to honour women and girls who never made it home.
The Purple Movement Goes Global
Social media has been flooded with purple hearts, clothing, and profile photos as celebrities, activists, and everyday citizens rally behind the movement.
The campaign’s signature colour — purple — symbolises both mourning and resistance.
From Johannesburg to Cape Town, Pretoria to Durban, thousands of women have taken to the streets wearing purple and black, demanding systemic change.
A Decade of Pain, and a Victory for Activism
Women for Change founder Sabrina Walter described today’s events as the result of “ten years of unbearable stories, trauma, and relentless advocacy.”
In her statement, she said:
“We have written history together.
We made the entire world stop and look at the women of South Africa.
Today, the country pauses — not in defeat, but in power.”
Walter confirmed that government officials will sign the disaster declaration by tomorrow, followed by a detailed action plan next week.
Justice Delayed, Justice Denied
For many, today’s shutdown is also an expression of anger at a justice system that often fails survivors.
Cases collapse because DNA kits go missing.
Women who report assault face disbelief or intimidation.
Self-defence groups like Girls on Fire are growing because countless women feel unprotected.
“It isn’t a police problem, it is a nation problem,” said Prudence, a survivor whose rape case was withdrawn after her rape kit was lost.
A Turning Point — or Another Promise?
As South African women lie down in silence today, many are hopeful but cautious.
A National Disaster declaration opens the door for emergency resources, specialised task forces, and rapid response units.
But activists stress that real change depends on implementation, not announcements.
Today’s Purple Shutdown is both a celebration of a long-awaited government response and a reminder that women are done waiting.
