Assessing the impact of national strategic plans on Gender-based Violence and femicide in South Africa and its effects on GBV rates.

Abstract

South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), adopted in 2020, represents a multi-sectoral framework aimed at addressing the systemic drivers of GBVF, including gender inequality, socio-economic disparities, and institutional weaknesses. Rooted in a socio-ecological model and theory of change, this strategy prioritises accountability, prevention, survivor support, and systemic reforms with a focus on legislative strengthening, political leadership, and community-based interventions. Despite its comprehensive design, implementation has faced challenges, including delays in establishing governance structures, such as the National Council on GBVF, uneven resource allocation, and the compounding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initial assessments revealed fragmented progress. While the NSP has galvanised collaboration across the government, civil society, and the private sector, its impact on reducing GBVF rates remains limited. For instance, femicide rates persist at alarming levels, with 2,407 cases reported in 2017, and over 53,498 sexual offences recorded between 2022 and 2023. Community-level initiatives, such as awareness campaigns and partnerships with community policing forums (CPFs), show promise but suffer from inconsistent execution and limited reach, with only 27% of the surveyed communities reporting active GBVF awareness programs. Economic constraints and gaps in local capacity further hinder the translation of national objectives into tangible outcomes, particularly in rural and marginalised areas.

The emphasis of the NSP on data-driven monitoring, including proposals for a GBV index, highlights the need for better metrics to evaluate long-term trends and allocate resources effectively. However, systemic issues, such as underreporting, attrition in justice systems, and entrenched patriarchal norms, continue to undermine efforts. While the plan’s theory of change provides a robust roadmap, accelerating its implementation requires urgently addressing funding shortfalls, deeper community engagement, and stronger accountability mechanisms. South Africa’s experience underscores the complexity of combating GBVF, illustrating that even well-structured policies demand sustained political will, cross-sector coordination, and grassroots mobilisation to achieve measurable reductions in violence rates.