Question NW2085 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
18 September 2020 - NW2085
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Whether, given that not much has changed between this year and the last in terms of the gender-based violence (GBV) cases reported in the Republic, her Office has taken any additional steps at monitoring incidents of GBV in order to protect the most vulnerable members of society, which is also aimed to yield different results; if not, why not; if so, what are the full relevant details?
Reply:
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a social ill which continues to plaque South Africa and Government and civil society have to remain committed to making our country safe for women across ages, gender and sexual identities, disability and geographic location. Cases of GBV are reported to service delivery departments such as the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Social Development.
In March 2020 Cabinet approved the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence (NSPGBVF) and the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities was tasked to Chair an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the implementation of the NSP on GBVF and the National Council for GBVF (NCGBVF). Further, the IMC also include the Ministers of Justice and Correctional Services, Police, Pubic Service and Administration Social Development and Finance.
The IMC is responsible for providing leadership, enforcing and coordinating all efforts towards the implementation of NSPGBVF by all government departments. The Departments of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation have put in place a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan which ensures that weekly reports on GBVF are provided to the President.
Through the Emergency Response Action Plan (ERAPP) that was launched by the President towards the end of 2019, the number of shelters and care centres for GBV survivors were increased, the capacity of the police to deal with crimes of sexual violence as well as services to women who have to go through the criminal justice system were improved. All efforts are contributing in protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.
Since May 2020 the IMC have started implementing the NSPGBVF and all government departments will be accountable to Parliament on implementing the NSPGBVF.