Positions for National GBV Council set to be advertised imminently

After a stinging rebuke from President Cyril Ramaphosa to Parliament over the failure to establish the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Council, the positions are set to be advertised imminently.

House chairperson Cedric Frolick has told political parties he considers the matter a priority,https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/09/10/ramaphosa-disappointed-by-parliament-for-delays-in-setting-up-gbv-council and he’s given the portfolio committee an instruction to act swiftly.

The council, to be set up under an act of Parliament that Ramaphosa signed into law almost a year ago, is meant to provide strategic leadership to prevent and respond to GBV and femicide.

Answering questions in the National Assembly two weeks ago, Ramaphosa said members of Parliament (MPs) could not pin the blame on him for the delays in setting up the National GBV Council and if it were up to him, the appointments would already have been made.

The committee of women and youth have been grappling with this matter for several months over budget concerns and whether further tweaks are needed to the legislation.

But after the president slammed Parliament for the delays, House chairperson Cedric Frolick has now cracked the whip.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa disappointed by Parliament for delays in setting up GBV council

“We are not going to go into amendments and to consider any other matter. They must proceed to move towards advertisements, shortlisting and come with a report to the National Assembly so that it can be sent to the president.”

Frolick said any amendments to the establishing act can be considered at a later stage.

The GBV Council is to comprise 13 members, of which at least seven should represent civil society and 80% of them must be women.