MEDIA STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Sonke launches policy scorecard reviewing GBVF Council Act 9 of 2024
02 March 2026 – Sonke Gender Justice has developed a policy scorecard analysing the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act (Act 9 of 2024). The scorecard examines whether the law gives the Council the power it needs to oversee, coordinate, and ensure accountability for the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. It highlights the Act’s strengths, identifies gaps, and proposes reforms to improve its effectiveness. The scorecard draws on stakeholder perspectives from civil society, public and private sector actors, oversight bodies and community-based organisations, which informed the identification of the Act’s strengths, gaps, and risks.
‘’The review finds that the Act does not guarantee governance and institutional independence as government has the majority of seats. Also, co-opted experts lack voting rights, which limits meaningful participation from those most affected by GBVF. Furthermore, the Act does not guarantee inclusive representation for key civil society groups, including survivor-led, LGBTQIA+, disability, youth, rural, migrant, and sex worker-led organisations’’ Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga, Policy Development and Advocacy Manager explains.
A major strength of the Act is that it provides a legislative platform for reform and advocacy, enabling targeted amendments, regulations, and policy improvements. Among other recommendations, the policy scorecard, which is designed to provide practical guidance to strengthen South Africa’s GBVF response, proposes strengthening the Council’s authority through binding duties for government, compulsory reporting, and data-sharing requirements.
Civil society partners are eager to see these identified niggling issues addressed to strengthen the GBVF response. A properly aligned Coordinating mechanism that is responsible for the implementation of of the GBVF Strategic plan is key in ensuring that the country turns the tide against GBVF.
ENDS/
For media enquiries contact:
Kgomotso Mophulane, Communications & Strategic Information Manager, Sonke Gender Justice on [email protected] or 0835196187
Bafana Khumalo, Co-Executive Director, Sonke Gender Justice on [email protected] or 082 5784479
NOTE TO EDITORS
Sonke is a South African-based non-profit organisation working throughout Africa. We believe women and men, girls and boys can work together to resist patriarchy, advocate for gender justice, and achieve gender transformation. For media releases, reports and news visit https://genderjustice.org.za/ and https://genderjustice.org.za/newsletter-signup/
Connect with us:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
The post Sonke launches policy scorecard reviewing GBVF Council Act 9 of 2024 appeared first on Sonke Gender Justice.
For Immediate Release
Sonke launches policy scorecard reviewing GBVF Council Act 9 of 2024
02 March 2026 – Sonke Gender Justice has developed a policy scorecard analysing the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act (Act 9 of 2024). The scorecard examines whether the law gives the Council the power it needs to oversee, coordinate, and ensure accountability for the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. It highlights the Act’s strengths, identifies gaps, and proposes reforms to improve its effectiveness. The scorecard draws on stakeholder perspectives from civil society, public and private sector actors, oversight bodies and community-based organisations, which informed the identification of the Act’s strengths, gaps, and risks.
‘’The review finds that the Act does not guarantee governance and institutional independence as government has the majority of seats. Also, co-opted experts lack voting rights, which limits meaningful participation from those most affected by GBVF. Furthermore, the Act does not guarantee inclusive representation for key civil society groups, including survivor-led, LGBTQIA+, disability, youth, rural, migrant, and sex worker-led organisations’’ Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga, Policy Development and Advocacy Manager explains.
A major strength of the Act is that it provides a legislative platform for reform and advocacy, enabling targeted amendments, regulations, and policy improvements. Among other recommendations, the policy scorecard, which is designed to provide practical guidance to strengthen South Africa’s GBVF response, proposes strengthening the Council’s authority through binding duties for government, compulsory reporting, and data-sharing requirements.
Civil society partners are eager to see these identified niggling issues addressed to strengthen the GBVF response. A properly aligned Coordinating mechanism that is responsible for the implementation of of the GBVF Strategic plan is key in ensuring that the country turns the tide against GBVF.
ENDS/
For media enquiries contact:
Kgomotso Mophulane, Communications & Strategic Information Manager, Sonke Gender Justice on [email protected] or 0835196187
Bafana Khumalo, Co-Executive Director, Sonke Gender Justice on [email protected] or 082 5784479
NOTE TO EDITORS
Sonke is a South African-based non-profit organisation working throughout Africa. We believe women and men, girls and boys can work together to resist patriarchy, advocate for gender justice, and achieve gender transformation. For media releases, reports and news visit https://genderjustice.org.za/ and https://genderjustice.org.za/newsletter-signup/
Connect with us:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
The post Sonke launches policy scorecard reviewing GBVF Council Act 9 of 2024 appeared first on Sonke Gender Justice.
