Target: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
Goal: Address widespread gender-based violence and inequality that is oppressing and killing women.
The annual G20 summit marks the yearly gathering of the world’s most powerful nations to discuss issues of economic concern. The 2025 summit – the first to be held in Africa – was notable for another reason. For 15 minutes, thousands of people across South Africa (which hosted the event) laid down in silence. The 15 is a powerful symbol, because it represents the number of women murdered each day in the country. This startling statistic gives South Africa a tragic distinction: the nation with the planet’s highest femicide rate, over five times higher than the world average.
The widespread protest was intended to bring global attention to the crisis and to compel South African leaders to declare gender-based violence a national disaster. On both counts, the movement succeeded. The country’s National Disaster Management Centre announced its intention to classify femicide and gender-based violence under the requested designation, which will enable more resources and funding support for efforts to combat violence against women. The president of South Africa also signaled his support for the declaration and for the implementation of recommendations made by an independent panel.
Sign the petition below to help ensure South Africa’s leadership follows through on its pledges to protect its marginalized and abused populations.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Ramaphosa,
“The women of our country are crying out that they need much more focus on the issue of gender-based violence.” You made this statement after affirming that South Africa would classify such violence as a national disaster and crisis. The G20 panel’s recommendations for an independent body that focuses on inequality data collection and research is a good starting point, but this step must be followed by meaningful policies, laws, and programs that confront the rampant violence that –as one activist starkly outlined – leads to “burying a woman every 2.5 hours” in South Africa.
The protests and work strikes demonstrated the irreplaceable importance women hold in South African society. Strengthening your promises to them with decisive and committed action must be an urgent priority.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Astrid Sosa
