Faith Action Forum Briefing: Concerns with the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (Act No. 9 of 2024)  

By #NotFitForPurpose

At a recent Faith Action Forum meeting, Pinky Mgobozi from the #NotFitForPurpose Campaign outlined serious concerns about the new National Council on GBVF, which government is in the process of establishing under the 2024 Act. The campaign argues that, as currently designed, the Council will be structurally limited and unable to deliver the accountability, coordination, and leadership envisioned under Pillar 1 of the National Strategic Plan (NSP).

Key Concerns Raised

  1. Government-Led Council
    • The Act gives government a dominant role, reversing the NSP agreement that civil society and business would hold a 51% majority.
    • This shift undermines independent oversight and trust, making it harder to secure private sector and donor funding for civil society work.
    • Pinky noted that government made this significant shift after consultations, so it was never part of what was discussed.
  2. Removal of a Dedicated Fund
    • Provisions for a ring-fenced, independent GBVF fund have been removed.
    • Without this, contributions from business and development agencies would have to go directly to government—reducing donor confidence and threatening transparent, fair, and accountable funding for CBOs and NGOs.
  3. Deficient Public Participation
    • The public participation process for the original Bill was described as procedurally flawed and lacking genuine engagement with affected communities.
  4. Contradictory Implementation
    • Government is moving ahead with establishing the Council despite the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities acknowledging the Act’s flaws and the need for amendments.
  5. Weak Local and Provincial Accountability
    • The Act fails to establish robust structures at provincial and local levels, where most GBVF prevention and response work actually happens.
    • Oversight by a purely national body risks disconnect from on-the-ground realities.

Call to Action for the Faith Sector

Mgobozi urged faith leaders not to be co-opted, but to use their influence to support the campaign’s push for urgent legislative amendments.

The #NotFitForPurpose Campaign is calling for:

  • A temporary, interim structure to coordinate GBVF work while amendments are made.
  • Legislative changes that restore accountability, ensure independent funding, and embed local/provincial structures before a permanent Council is established.

“Continuing to implement a flawed Act,” Mgobozi warned, “is harmful to survivors and communities. We must get the framework right before locking it in place.”

You can support the campaign by signing the petition here: https://form.jotform.com/252042053932044

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