Matjhabeng: Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, has spearheaded an intergovernmental engagement on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State. Mohai addressed the gathering, emphasizing that GBVF is one of the most pressing social issues facing the country, with devastating consequences for families, communities, and society as a whole.

According to South African Government News Agency, Mohai stressed the importance of rebuilding the family unit by restoring fatherhood, nurturing stable homes, and instilling values of respect and protection. He highlighted the need to address harmful behaviors and substance abuse through community interventions, rehabilitation programs, and a zero-tolerance stance on violence. Mohai was accompanied by Matjhabeng Executive Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha and Lejweleputswa District Executive Mayor Veronica Ntakumbana.

The engagement gathered representatives from national, provincial, and local government, community leaders, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders. The goal was to strengthen efforts against GBVF through a coordinated approach. Mohai noted that the impact of GBVF extends beyond individual victims, often leaving children orphaned, deepening trauma, and perpetuating poverty and social instability across generations.

He called for stronger prevention measures, increased accountability, and more visible action from all sectors of society. During the program, Mohai visited the Goldfields Family Advice Shelter to engage with service providers and assess the support services available to survivors of GBVF. The visit underscored the need for stronger, accessible, and survivor-centered support systems.

Government leaders at the engagement committed to collaborating to address violence against women and children and to strengthen interventions that promote safety, healing, and dignity. Key outcomes of the meeting included a renewed commitment to a united government response, placing survivor support at the center of interventions, rebuilding families and communities, encouraging men and boys to reject violence, and recognizing the role of institutions such as schools, workplaces, faith communities, civil society, sports, arts, and culture in prevention and mobilization.

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation expressed its commitment to working with partners across government and society to ensure that programs responding to GBVF are monitored, strengthened, and implemented to bring about meaningful change in communities.