Gender-based-violence has become a huge issue in South Africa lately with the scourge of femicide being the primary concern. This has led to government’s intervention by imposing harsher sentences on sexual offenders.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the National Council of Provinces and National Assembly, earlier this week, and announced that government would be implementing an Emergency Action Plan to deal with the current epidemic.
“Given the urgency of the situation, we have developed an Emergency Action Plan, which will be implemented over the six months. A focus will be on men’s groups and formations, youth at risk and offenders inside prisons. Women’s rights and gender power relations will be part of life orientation in the school curriculum”, stated Ramaphosa.
Only time will reveal the effectiveness of this new strategy.
