Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), with the issue placed at the centre of South Africa’s 2026/27 development agenda.
Speaking during her department’s Budget Vote presentation in Parliament on Wednesday, Sindisiwe Chikunga said government is intensifying efforts to build a stronger and more coordinated response to GBVF.
“No nation can claim freedom while its women remain unsafe, unpaid, unseen, or excluded from the economy.”
Chikunga said government’s approach is based on the understanding that women’s safety, dignity and economic empowerment are closely linked.
National Council To Lead GBVF Response
Since the adoption of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), government has been working to strengthen a coordinated and multisectoral response to the crisis.
According to Chikunga, these efforts will be accelerated during the 2026/27 financial year following the classification of GBVF as a national disaster and the approval of a Cabinet action plan.
A major priority for government will be supporting the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which will oversee and coordinate the country’s response to GBVF.
The department will also continue monitoring the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide 2020-2030 across government departments and sectors.
“We will deepen prevention work through the Comprehensive National Prevention Strategy, particularly our flagship project – positive masculinity focused on boys; young men and older men, including targeted interventions in schools, communities and stakeholders.
“We will continue to strengthen GBVF Rapid Response Teams and support the 100-Day Challenge model, to resolve practical blockages in the justice and support systems. We will continue to advance women’s economic empowerment through programmes that open access to markets, finance, procurement and strategic value chains,” the Minister said.
Government Links Women’s Safety To Economic Empowerment
Chikunga stressed that addressing GBVF cannot happen without improving women’s participation in the economy.
“We cannot speak of freedom if women remain excluded from the economy.”
Government will continue implementing programmes aimed at improving women’s access to markets, finance and procurement opportunities.
These initiatives include:
- Women Economic Assembly (WECONA)
- Women in Trade
- Women’s Cooperative Financial Institution
Government also plans to expand women’s participation in key industries such as:
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Manufacturing
- Oceans economy
- Green economy
“We will work with public and private sector partners to ensure that all women, irrespective of age, are not merely beneficiaries of development, but owners, producers, traders and leaders in the economy. This will include leveraging the critical Mineral strategy to place women and youth at the centre of South Africa’s mining expansion and industrial plans,” Chikunga said.
The Minister also encouraged stakeholders to provide input on the draft Public Procurement Regulations published by National Treasury for public comment.
Government Expands Youth Development Programmes
As South Africa commemorates 50 years since the 1976 youth uprisings under the theme “Reset@50 – The Future Calls”, government is also scaling up programmes aimed at reducing youth unemployment.
Through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which has received an allocation of R1.8 billion, government plans to expand youth development initiatives across the country.
Key targets for the year include:
- Funding at least 2 600 youth-owned small businesses
- Expanding paid service opportunities from 40 000 to 100 000 young people
- Providing business development support to 23 500 youth
- Supporting employment and job placement for more than 26 000 young people
Government will also develop a National Youth Fund Strategy aimed at improving access to funding for youth-owned businesses, particularly for:
- Young women
- Persons with disabilities
- LGBTQI+ youth
- Marginalised young people
Call For More Opportunities For Graduates
Chikunga highlighted the importance of creating more work opportunities for graduates and young professionals struggling to gain experience.
“As we fight to have all public service and private sector posts filled, no young person should be overlooked because of the so-called overqualification with no experience. Young people with qualifications must be given an opportunity to work and gain experience. Moreover, we wish to stress that, our call extends for those above the age of 35 years,” the Minister said.
