Pretoria: No nation can claim freedom while its women remain unsafe, unpaid, unseen, or excluded from the economy. These remarks, made by Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, set the tone for government's 2026/27 priorities, placing the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) at the centre of South Africa's development agenda.
According to South African Government News Agency, Chikunga presented the department's Budget Vote in Parliament, outlining intensified efforts to strengthen a coordinated and multisectoral response to GBVF. This initiative is anchored in the principle that women's safety, dignity, and economic empowerment are inseparable. The government aims to accelerate this work in the 2026/27 financial year, following the classification of GBVF as a national disaster and the adoption of a Cabinet-approved action plan.
The establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide will be a key priority. This body will lead and coordinate the country's response, further supported by strengthening the monitoring of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF 2020-2030 across government, Cabinet clusters, and sectors. The Comprehensive National Prevention Strategy will deepen prevention work, focusing on positive masculinity and targeted interventions in schools and communities.
Chikunga emphasized that tackling GBVF cannot be separated from advancing women's economic participation, stating, "We cannot speak of freedom if women remain excluded from the economy." The department plans to roll out programs to improve women's access to markets, finance, and procurement opportunities. Efforts will include integrating women into key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and the green economy.
In conjunction with combating GBVF, Chikunga highlighted the expansion of youth development programs as South Africa commemorates 50 years since the 1976 youth uprisings. The government, through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), aims to expand youth development initiatives significantly. With an allocation of R1.8 billion, targets include funding youth-owned businesses, expanding service opportunities, providing business development support, and supporting youth employment.
Chikunga stressed the importance of addressing barriers facing graduates, advocating for opportunities for young people to gain work experience. She emphasized the need for all public service and private sector posts to be filled, ensuring that young people are not overlooked due to lack of experience. The department's call extends to those over the age of 35, underlining the necessity for inclusive employment opportunities.
