Govt officially classifies gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster

The government has officially classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster following growing concerns over the abuse of women and children.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, announced a short while ago that the National Disaster Management Centre has moved to formalise the classification.

This decision follows a reassessment of previous reports and updated submissions outlining why GBVF should be recognised as a national disaster.

The classification now requires all organs of State to fully implement contingency measures to ensure the government manages the crisis effectively.

The classification of GBVF as a national disaster is not the same as a formal declaration of a national disaster.

A declaration would give the government access to emergency funds and special emergency powers to address the crisis.

On the other hand, a classification focuses on enabling the government and society to strengthen and implement prevention measures.

By classifying GBVF as a national disaster, the government said it will rely on existing legislation and current contingency plans to respond to the crisis.

The COGTA Department has continued to stress that this classification does not trigger any emergency powers but instead reinforces the systems already in place.

Furthermore, the government will still have to decide whether this classification should eventually be elevated to a full disaster declaration.

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