In a poignant demonstration against gender-based violence, hundreds of women clad in black gathered at a Johannesburg park on Friday, just one day before the commencement of the G20 summit. The 15-minute lie-down protest symbolized the tragic reality that 15 women lose their lives daily to gender-based violence in South Africa. Organized by the nonprofit Women for Change, the event aimed to draw global attention to the crisis, which has plagued the nation for decades. Despite South Africa’s progressive stance on gender issues during its G20 presidency, the country’s femicide rate remains alarmingly high, five times the global average, according to U.N. Women. Protest coordinator Courtney Gelderblom, 19, described the act as ‘a minute of silence for every woman that could have fallen within the day,’ emphasizing the need to mourn and honor the victims. The protest saw participation from ordinary citizens, activists, and survivors of gender violence, some of whom wept while lying down. Placards bearing messages like ‘Why do you hate us?’ and ‘My body is not your crime scene’ underscored the urgency of the issue. The demonstration was part of a month-long campaign by Women for Change, which garnered over a million signatures on a petition urging the government to act. In response, the South African government declared gender-based violence a national disaster, mandating authorities to allocate resources and take decisive action. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the crisis during a G20 sideline summit, calling it a ‘national crisis.’ Gender violence expert Professor Corné Davis-Buitendag highlighted the global implications of the issue, noting its significant economic and societal costs. Despite legal reforms aimed at supporting victims, the rates of gender-based violence continue to rise. The Women for Change petition calls for stricter measures, including denying bail in severe cases, imposing life sentences for offenders, and holding officials accountable for negligence.
South African women stage lie-down protest against gender-based violence ahead of G20 summit
