Sonke Gender Justice Reacts to Long-Overdue Signing of Anti-GBVF Bill
- Sonke Gender Justice said the signing of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill into law is long overdue
- President Cyril Ramaphosa officially signed the Bill, which would lead to the creation of the Council, on 24 May 2024
- SGJ added that the effectiveness of the legislation would depend on the people who sit on the Council and the mandate that they carry
PAY ATTENTION: Let yourself be inspired by real people who go beyond the ordinary! Subscribe and watch our new shows on Briefly TV Life now!
Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.
Source: Getty Images
Sonke Gender Justice said the signing into law of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill is long overdue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signs anti-GBV Bill into law
The organisation was reacting to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bill signing, which was shared on @CyrilRamaphosa's X profile on 24 May 2024.
The Presidency said the Bill was a critical step forward to ensure the safety and security of all women. According to SA News, the newly signed Act would lead to the formation of a council that would provide strategic leadership in the eradication of gender-based violence and femicide in the country.
Sonke’s Policy Development and Advocacy Manager, Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga, told Briefly News that the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide was essential for implementing the National Strategic Plan on GBVF:
“Its effectiveness will depend on the people who sit on the council and the mandate that they carry. We hope that the council will make a difference in this regard.”
South Africans share their views on the Bill signing
Many social media users accused Ramaphosa of using the signing of the Bill into law as part of his electioneering.
@Chipiyankandla suggested:
“Same energy on the immigration amendment bill! Then consider my one vote. If not, it’s chai!”
@m_mok94307 asked:
“No, this man is in election mode. This bill has been on his table for how long?”
@QinisoMhlongo8 added:
“He's signing everything, he knows he might not survive elections.”
@MrVithi said:
“Wow... suddenly his pen game is on fleek.”
@ItumelengTsapi commented:
“That's when you know he never cared about GBV or prosecution in this country. To use it for electioneering is the lowest bar.”
Briefly News explains National Health Insurance Act
Briefly News previously reported that South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill into law in May 2024. A week after signing it, South Africans still had many questions about the law's impact.
Briefly News' current affairs journalist Tebogo Mokwena created a video explaining the NHI and how it would affect citizens.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU - click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
Source: Briefly News
