Parliamentary action on gender-based violence council finally underway

More than a year after the Act establishing the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) became law, Parliament has finally begun processing the over 300 applications received to serve on the body.

The Council is one of the key legislative responses enacted in 2018 following the national outcry against gender-based violence (GBV). It is expected to provide strategic leadership and coordination to combat GBVF.

In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep disappointment regarding Parliament's delays in setting up the Council. The government, which declared GBV a national crisis in 2018, recently escalated the classification of GBVF to a national disaster just two weeks ago.

Concerns Over Budget and Structure
The Parliamentary Committee on Women has been concerned this year about several issues, including the lack of a budget for the Council's establishment, the lack of compensation for civil society representatives, and a proposed secretariat of at least 24 staffers at a cost of R56 million.

The Committee had evenconsidered initiating its own bill to amend the Act to address what it saw as shortcomings.

However, after strong criticism from the President and a lack of quorum at Tuesday's meeting, Members of Parliament (MPs) today each selected 16 civil society candidates to consider for the interview shortlist.

Committee Chairperson Liezl van der Merwe emphasised the urgency:

"Gender-based violence has been declared a national crisis, a national pandemic, so therefore it is prudent of us to finalise this work as soon as we can."

The Committee hopes to start interviewing for the seven positions—which will ultimately be appointed by the President—in February.