NSMSA’s Dr Zubeda Dangor said that while shelters are dedicated to ending the cycle of abuse and GBV in society, they are disheartened by the government’s lack of funding.

“Gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound and widespread problem in South Africa, affecting almost every aspect of life, with 1,514 cases of attempted murder and 14,401 assaults against female victims for 2023/2024 in the second quarter reports”,

“For years we have been appealing to the government to help our shelters stay open, but year after year we see less funding being allocated to our cause while the statistics continue to rise. GBV is a pandemic in our society and one we cannot fight alone. This must be a priority for the government, as much as economic growth is, Dangor said.

Dangor said that while South Africa continues to grapple with an ongoing GBV crisis, NSMSA finds this omission both alarming and disappointing.

The rate of GBV remains high and more than 51% of women in the country have experienced GBV at least once in their lifetime.

“Resources for shelter and rehabilitation services are dangerously thin due to continued funding cuts while money is sent back to the treasury, unused by the Department of Social Development,” Dangor said.

“The failure to mention funding or rehabilitation initiatives signals a troubling lack of prioritization in addressing one of the nation’s most pervasive social issues.”

“GBV victims also have the right to benefit from economic growth for all. They cannot participate or benefit if they are not in the right state of mind and this consideration cannot be left unaddressed.”

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