Ramaphosa Issues Urgent Call for Men to Lead the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
A Watershed Moment for National Accountability
Addressing a gathered crowd at the Union Buildings in Pretoria during the national Women’s Day commemorations, President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a direct and impassioned plea to the men of South Africa. As the nation reflects on the ongoing struggle for equality and safety, the President emphasized that the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) cannot be eradicated through policy alone; it requires a fundamental shift in male behavior and accountability.
The Responsibility of Men
President Ramaphosa declared that the responsibility to end violence against women and children rests heavily on the shoulders of the nation’s men. He stressed that silence in the face of abuse is a form of complicity. ‘We are calling on every man and boy to stand up and say, not in my name, not in my house, and not in my community,’ the President stated during his keynote address. He urged men to engage in uncomfortable conversations with their peers, family members, and colleagues to dismantle the patriarchal structures that fuel domestic and systemic violence.
A Commitment to Concrete Action
The President highlighted that while legislative progress has been made—including the tightening of bail conditions for offenders and the creation of specialized courts—these measures are reactive rather than preventative. Moving forward, the government intends to shift its focus toward broader social mobilization. Key areas of focus include:
- Promoting healthy masculinity programs in schools and community centers.
- Strengthening local support networks for victims of domestic violence.
- Holding the criminal justice system strictly accountable for case backlogs and poor handling of GBV reports.
- Increasing community-led surveillance and reporting mechanisms.
The President’s message comes at a critical time when statistics continue to paint a harrowing picture of the safety of women in the country. By placing the spotlight squarely on male responsibility, the administration hopes to foster a culture where perpetrators are ostracized and victims are empowered to seek justice without fear of secondary victimization.
Reclaiming the Future
As the commemoration concluded, Ramaphosa reiterated that the fight against GBV is the most significant struggle of the current generation. He challenged all men to move beyond empty rhetoric and demonstrate their commitment through daily actions. The government’s call serves as a stern reminder that the safety of South African women is not merely a women’s issue, but a national emergency that demands the active participation and unwavering moral clarity of every citizen, particularly men.