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Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga seen speaking at a government engagement.
Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster.
WATCH | Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the government stands with women and welcomes the President’s pronouncement yesterday classifying gender-based violence as a crisis. pic.twitter.com/VA1DXkROOu
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 21, 2025
Ramaphosa made the announcement, on Thursday when he delivered the keynote address at the closing ceremony of the G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni.
Several peaceful demonstrations took place today across the country in solidarity with the victims of GBV.
Chikunga says the declaration marks a significant step towards eradicating GBV.
“We are with our women; we know what they’re talking about. Our research confirmed what women of South Africa are saying that 1 in 3 women in South Africa have actually been abused in one way or another, whether physically, sexually, emotionally or financially,” she says.
Chikunga says they welcome the president’s pronouncement and they take it that this actually means they need to elevate their measures, working together with everyone in South Africa.
“It will not take only one section of the community or society to deal with gender based violence and femicide, but more,” she adds.
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