Sandton: Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called for a 'more deliberate partnership' between government and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund. Delivering remarks during a recent meet and greet with the leadership of the GBVF Fund, held in Sandton, Gauteng, the Minister stressed the need for shared responsibility and a unified commitment to justice in the national fight against GBVF.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister commended the Fund for its efforts in mobilising and distributing resources to frontline GBVF initiatives, underscoring the need for deeper alignment between state-led and civil society efforts. The fund has so far reached 772,244 people across the country. Chikunga emphasized the importance of closing systemic gaps and ensuring support for survivors across all communities.

The engagement brought together Fund executives, including Interim CEO Zanele Ngwepe and Chairperson of the Board Faith Khanyile, alongside officials from the Ministry and Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Chikunga highlighted the severity of gender-based violence and femicide as a national and global human rights crisis, citing alarming statistics from January to March 2025. She stressed the vulnerability of women with disabilities who often face sexual violence with little access to justice.

Chikunga reiterated South Africa's commitment to the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, describing it as a plan driven by survivors, community leaders, civil society, and the public. She announced the operational status of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF and Substance Abuse and confirmed the establishment of the National Council on GBVF by April 2026.

Other interventions include the launch of the National GBVF Dashboard, expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres, and the implementation of 100-Day Challenge models in communities. The Minister invited the Fund to contribute to ongoing policy efforts, including the finalisation of the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill.

Acknowledging resource constraints, Minister Chikunga affirmed her team's commitment to ensuring freedom, peace, and economic justice for all individuals. She concluded by expressing hope for enhanced cooperation with the Fund, aiming for a South Africa free from gender-based violence and femicide.