GBVF Council Must Turn Commitments into Action, Accountability and Investment

Ilitha Labantu calls for sustained resources and measurable progress

The establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide represents an opportunity to strengthen South Africa’s response to GBVF — but Ilitha Labantu is calling for the Council to move quickly from structures and commitments to meaningful action.

The Council was created to provide strategic leadership and strengthen coordination and accountability in the national response to gender-based violence and femicide. Its inaugural meeting, however, only took place in the final days of Women’s Month, despite the years that have passed since the National Strategic Plan on GBVF was introduced.

For Ilitha Labantu, the central challenge is not a lack of policies or frameworks. South Africa has had these for years. The critical gaps lie in implementation, coordination, accountability and the resources needed to turn commitments into effective services for survivors.

Investment in frontline organisations is particularly urgent. NGOs and community-based organisations provide essential psychosocial support, prevention programmes, referrals and other services, often in communities where they are among the first places survivors turn for help. Yet many operate under significant financial pressure. When organisations are forced to reduce services or close because of inadequate funding, the consequences are felt most severely in under-resourced communities.

Ilitha Labantu therefore welcomes the Council’s focus on developing a costing framework and identifying resource gaps, but emphasises that these gaps are already well known. The costing process must determine what is required to adequately fund the national GBVF response and ensure resources reach the services and communities where they are needed most.

The organisation is also calling for clearly defined responsibilities, measurable targets, timelines and consequences when commitments are not implemented. Civil society organisations and communities must be part of this accountability process, bringing frontline experience into national decision-making.

Ultimately, the Council’s success should not be measured by the number of meetings held or reports produced. It should be measured by whether survivors can access better support and justice, frontline organisations receive sustainable funding, institutions are strengthened and government is held accountable for its commitments.

Read the full media release here