S. Africa vows to implement G20 pledge to end gender-based violence

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- After gender-based violence (GBV) was declared a national crisis in South Africa, Sindisiwe Chikunga, the country's minister of women, youth and persons with disabilities, on Tuesday pledged to ensure full implementation of the declaration adopted at the just-concluded Group of 20 (G20) summit to end violence against women and girls.

Chikunga made the remarks at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in Midrand, Johannesburg.

"The G20 Leaders' Declaration adopted in Johannesburg reaffirmed the global commitment to women's and girls' empowerment, condemned all forms of violence, online and offline, and called for stronger action to eradicate sexual violence and harassment. Our task now is to implement it boldly at home," she said.

The minister noted that despite years of interventions and legislation, GBV remains deeply entrenched, with cases rising over weekends, paydays and in communities heavily affected by alcohol abuse.

A recent National Prosecuting Authority review showed that even boys as young as 12 were becoming involved in violence, she said, adding that research made it "very clear" that alcohol consumption fuels violence against women.

South Africa has established 66 Thuthuzela Care Centers, one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of the country's anti-rape strategy, over 1,100 victim-friendly rooms at police stations, and more than 1,200 dedicated gender-based violence and femicide desks, she said.