WeeklySA_AdminViolent: Nearly 840 million women globally experienced physical or sexual violence
By Monk Nkomo
The violence perpetrated by men against women eroded the social fabric of nations, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Addressing the G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni, he said this violence imposed a heavy burden that constrained development and weakened inclusive growth.
Following the scourge of this violence, the South African government had now declared gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis. ‘’ We have agreed , among all social partners, that we need to take extraordinary and concerted action – using every means at our disposal – to end this crisis.’’
Gender-based violence has become a global scourge with statistics revealing that one in three women globally, had experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime – a figure that had remained largely unchanged for almost two decades.
Femicide remained a severe issue, with a woman or girl killed by an intimate partner or family member, every ten minutes.
According to statistics, nearly 840 million women worldwide ( about 30 percent of those aged 15 and older ), had experienced physical and or sexual violence.
In 2024, intimate partners or family members killed nearly 50 000 women and girls globally. Progress in reducing intimate partner violence however, had been slow, with an annual decline of only 0,02 percent over the past two decades, according to statistics.
Ramaphosa warned that societies could not be built rooted in equality unless those societies upheld the rights of women and girls. ‘’ Sustainable societies are those that recognise, value and compensate the labour and economic contribution of women.
No society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continues and the agency of women is denied.’’
Men and boys were critical partners in transforming harmful norms and advancing gender justice. They must be actively involved in challenging inherited attitudes, power imbalances and social structures that normalised violence and silenced survivors.
Ramaphosa also reminded delegates that it was at the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1955 where South Africans of all races, all faiths and all creeds adopted the Freedom Charter, which would be the forerunner to South Africa’s democratic constitution.
The Freedom Charter boldly declares that ‘There shall be Peace and Friendship’, and that this shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, opportunities and status of all. History too would record this year as a milestone for global cooperation.
‘’We affirm the historic nature not only of the first summit of the G20 to take place on African soil, but also of this Social Summit, a gathering of peoples from across the world. We meet at a time of great uncertainty’’, Ramaphosa said.
Political polarisation, global poverty, conflict and war and the growing impact of climate change were threatening global development. Inequality in wealth distribution, imbalances in international development financing and disparities in access to financial resources were holding back the ability to meet the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
‘’As a continent we are in tandem striving to realise the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa we Want. This is the second G20 Social Summit to take place since the concept was inaugurated by the Brazilian Presidency last year. The breadth of representation and the depth of engagement is most impressive. It is here, in this room, where we lay the groundwork for global action on the G20 priorities. We know that global action will be credible because it is informed by the voices of the people’’.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency, Ramaphosa added, had been premised on ensuring the interests of developing economy countries were elevated on the G20 agenda. The government had sought to address poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. The government had also worked to strengthen and reform the international financial architecture, to democratise the systems of global governance and to promote the right of all nations to development, equality and dignity.
‘’We have used our G20 Presidency to reiterate the call for the world’s leading economies to invest in sustainable development and in the conservation of the planet for future generations. But for the decisions taken at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to stand tall, to grow, to have credibility and legitimacy, they have to be nourished by strong roots.’’
MIRROR Briefs
SA GETS 3558 NEW COPS
Acting Police Minister Prof Firoz Cachalia has welcomed 3 558 newly qualified police constables who completed their training at various South African Police Service (SAPS) academies in the country. The passing out parades were conducted simultaneously at various police academies. Of the total number, 2 036 constables are from the SAPS Academy in Tshwane.
Speaking at the Passing out Parade held at the SAPS Academy in Tshwane, Cachalia told the new constables that the uniform they were wearing was a symbol, a symbol of authority, but more importantly, a symbol of service, of integrity and of a sacred covenant with the people of South Africa. “Today, you march out as a unified corps, bound by a common oath and shared purpose. You have been tested mentally, physically and ethically. You have learned the law, the power of restraint, the skill of investigation and the critical importance of communication,” Cachalia said.
He said the new constables were prepared for the immense responsibility that now rested upon their shoulders.
“The road ahead is not an easy one. The challenges facing our communities are complex. You will encounter violence, poverty and despair. You are the living, breathing embodiment of the promise that, in South Africa, justice and order will prevail’’. – SA news
FRENCH ACTIVISTS HONOURED
Deputy President Paul Mashatile and French President Emmanuel Macron have led a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum to honour French citizens, who supported South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. The visit formed part of the French leader’s programme before joining other Heads of State and Government for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, currently taking place under the theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mashatile said Freedom Park stood as “sacred ground”, dedicated to all who sacrificed their lives for justice, freedom and human dignity.
He said the tributes paid to French anti-apartheid activists were a powerful reminder that South Africa’s liberation struggle had been a global effort.
Mashatile emphasised that the struggle was not waged by South Africans alone but was strengthened by courageous men and women across the world, including French activists, journalists, scholars and ordinary citizens who refused to remain silent.
“Alongside President Macron, we remember and pay tribute to the French citizens who stood firmly against apartheid. Many gave their voices, their talents and, in some cases, their lives so that South Africans could one day be free,” he said. – SA news.
NEW SCHOOL CALENDAR POLICY
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has published proposed amendments to the School Calendar Policy aimed at strengthening national coherence, simplifying implementation, and ensuring a streamlined framework for determining school term dates across all nine provinces.
In a statement, the DBE said the review modernised the existing policy by removing outdated provisions and aligning the calendar-planning process with current operational and curriculum-delivery imperatives.
“The school calendar is a core planning instrument for the basic education sector. It establishes the annual structure for teaching and learning, stipulates the opening and closing dates of terms, and determines the length of school holidays. The revised policy sharpens this focus by removing unnecessary historical references and ensuring that the policy speaks directly to its technical purpose,” the department said.
Summary of proposed amendments to the School Calendar Policy included :
• Discontinuation of traffic-flow–based scheduling – All provisions linking holiday timing to national traffic-flow patterns are deleted;
• Removal of provincial school-day uniformity clause.
• Standardised January school opening date – The policy proposes that all schools open in the third week of January, ensuring synchronisation and consistent system-wide curriculum rollout.
“Together, these amendments serve to streamline and modernise the School Calendar Policy, establishing a coherent national framework that strengthens planning and enhances operational efficiency. – SA news
MBALULA DEFUSE ANC YOUTH TIFF
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has met with the youth league NEC amid chaos that erupted within its leadership. The meeting was part of strengthening organisational unity, advancing the programme of rebuilding and renewal. Mbalula reaffirmed the central role of the ANCYL as the preparatory political school of the ANC and the broader Congress Movement. The meeting came after president Collen Malatji and secretary-general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle, turned on each other.
It is understood that Malatji and Ngudle had been clashing over the planning of the upcoming 27th congress of the ANCYL and tensions between the two had been brewing for months.
Malatji admitted there was a difference of opinion on the coming conference, but said it was “not a serious thing.” ANCYL National spokesperson, Zama Khanyase said no one had been suspended yet, but added that the ANCYL was convening an urgent meeting to discuss the matter. This was after a letter, signed by Ngudle, was published, claiming that Malatji had been suspended due to misconduct.
Mbalula expressed full confidence in the ANCYL leadership as they continued to play a decisive role in championing youth development, advancing the struggles of young people and contributing to the renewal and reconstruction of the movement. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
