7.3 million women have experienced physical violence, says Chikunga
According to the Human Sciences Research Council’s first national Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) prevalence study, at least 7.3 million South African women aged 18 and older have experienced physical violence during their lifetime. The findings were presented by Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga during the inaugural meeting of the newly established National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Pretoria. Chikunga highlighted that 30,736 out of 50,511 cases recorded by the South African Police Service in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year resulted in arrests or referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority. The data underscores the severity of the GBVF crisis and the urgent need for coordinated national action. The council, created under the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act 9 of 2024, aims to monitor implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, advise on policy reforms, and enhance community safety through survivor-centered interventions.
South Africa’s National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide commenced operations following its inaugural meeting in Pretoria, marking a pivotal step in addressing the persistent scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. The council, established under the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act 9 of 2024, convened for the first time on Monday, bringing together representatives from government, civil society, and various sectors to coordinate efforts against gender-based violence. The move comes amid alarming statistics indicating that 50,511 cases of gender-based violence and femicide were reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) during the 2025/26 financial year, with 30,736 leading to arrests or referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority. The council’s formation follows a resolution made at the 2018 Presidential Summit Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which called for the creation of a permanent body to oversee the national response to such crimes. Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, emphasized that the council’s launch represents the culmination of years of advocacy by survivors, women’s organizations, and civil society groups demanding a structured approach to combating gender-based violence. Chikunga highlighted the gravity of the situation, referencing the Human Sciences Research Council’s first South African National Gender-Based Violence Prevalence Study, published in November 2024. According to the study, approximately 7.3 million women aged 18 and older have experienced physical violence in their lifetimes, while over 2.15 million have faced sexual violence. Additionally, nearly 3.2 million women have endured physical intimate-partner violence, and roughly 2.5 million men have admitted to perpetrating such acts. The study further indicated that women with disabilities face a disproportionately higher risk of sexual violence, with 14.6% reporting such experiences compared to 7.2% of non-disabled women. The council’s responsibilities extend beyond merely compiling data. Its mandate includes monitoring the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, advising on policy and legislative reforms, promoting accountability, commissioning research, and mobilizing resources. It aims to create a comprehensive framework to ensure that the government’s response to gender-based violence is both coordinated and effective. One of the council’s initial priorities involves concluding a Shareholder Compact, a binding agreement outlining the expectations and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved. This compact will serve as a mechanism to define measurable goals and assess the council’s performance in reducing incidents of gender-based violence and femicide. The council’s composition reflects its multisectoral nature, incorporating representatives from government departments, women’s rights organizations, community and faith-based groups, disability and youth organizations, LGBTQIA+ advocacy bodies, researchers, traditional and community leaders, business entities, labor unions, and international development partners. Chikunga stressed that the council’s primary allegiance is not to individual sectors but to the Constitution, the law, and the victims of gender-based violence. As the council moves forward, it faces the challenge of translating its ambitious goals into tangible outcomes. With the recent classification of gender-based violence as a national disaster in November 2025, the council is tasked with developing a costing framework to determine the resources necessary to combat the issue effectively. This initiative underscores the recognition that addressing gender-based violence requires substantial investment and collaboration across all societal levels. The council’s work is critical in a context where gender-based violence continues to claim lives and undermine the dignity of countless individuals. As it embarks on its mission, the focus will be on ensuring that the strategies implemented are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the diverse needs of survivors. The council’s success will hinge on its ability to foster partnerships and drive meaningful change in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.
According to the Human Sciences Research Council’s first national Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) prevalence study, at least 7.3 million South African women aged 18 and older have experienced physical violence during their lifetime. The findings were presented by Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga during the inaugural meeting of the newly established National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Pretoria. Chikunga highlighted that 30,736 out of 50,511 cases recorded by the South African Police Service in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year resulted in arrests or referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority. The data underscores the severity of the GBVF crisis and the urgent need for coordinated national action. The council, created under the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act 9 of 2024, aims to monitor implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, advise on policy reforms, and enhance community safety through survivor-centered interventions.
Bias read (Progressive): The article emphasizes the gravity of gender-based violence through stark statistics and frames the issue as a systemic crisis requiring urgent governmental intervention. While it presents factual data from credible sources like the Human Sciences Research Council and the South African PoliceService
Why factuality (90): This article provides detailed and accurate information about the statistics cited by Minister Chikunga, aligning closely with the data referenced in Article 0. It also explains the role and mandate of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, drawing directly from the Act 9 of 202
Why objectivity (70): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting facts and statements from officials without overt bias. However, it still emphasizes the gravity of the situation through quotes and descriptions, which can subtly influence reader perception.
The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), established under the 2024 Act, convened its first meeting in Pretoria. The council aims to address systemic issues through initiatives like a Shareholder Compact and a costing framework for national responses. Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga emphasized the urgency, citing alarming data from the Human Sciences Research Council's 2024 prevalence study showing high rates of gender-based violence among women and those with disabilities. Police reports indicate 50,511 GBVF cases were reported in the 2025/26 financial year, with over half being rape-related. The council's formation follows the government's classification of GBVF as a national disaster in November 2025.
Bias read (Center): The article presents balanced reporting on the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, highlighting both governmental actions and statistical evidence without overtly favoring any political ideology. It includes quotes from the minister and references to research
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the formation of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, referencing the relevant legislation (Act 9 of 2024) and citing the Human Sciences Research Council's study. The statistics about victims of violence are consistent with those presented in oth
Why objectivity (75): The article presents facts in a neutral manner but includes quotes from officials that reflect a clear stance on the importance of addressing GBV. While it avoids overtly biased language, the framing emphasizes urgency and the need for action, which slightly skews toward advocacy.
IOL, a South African news outlet, has launched a specialized Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Desk to enhance coverage of the ongoing GBV crisis in the country. The initiative, announced during Women's Month, is led by senior editors Yogas Nair and Liesl van der Schyff, who will oversee in-depth reporting on various aspects of GBV, including femicide, intimate-partner violence, policing, and government policy. The desk aims to provide sustained, sensitive, and comprehensive coverage beyond occasional tragic incidents, emphasizing systemic issues like prevention, accountability, and societal normalization of violence. IOL CEO Viasen Soobramoney emphasized the media organization's role in using journalism to drive awareness and accountability regarding this national crisis.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a highly contentious issue, gender-based violence, the framing remains balanced, focusing on the need for sustained journalistic effort and institutional accountability without overtly endorsing specific political agendas. The emphasis is on the media's responsibility to报道该
Why factuality (80): The article accurately describes IOL's initiative to create a specialized GBV Desk and outlines its goals and leadership. It does not make factual claims beyond describing the organization's actions and intentions, so there is no room for error in the reporting.
Why objectivity (85): The article is highly objective, focusing on the structural changes at IOL and the rationale behind them. It avoids taking sides or using emotionally charged language, maintaining a professional and neutral tone throughout.
Mail & GuardianIndependentProgressiveFactual 70Objective 508/31/2026
The article discusses the persistent issue of gender-based violence in South Africa, emphasizing that efforts to address it often focus on reacting to incidents rather than addressing the root cause: gender inequality. The author argues that societal norms and expectations around masculinity and femininity contribute to the perpetuation of violence against women. These norms are ingrained from an early age through cultural messages, education, and family structures, which reinforce traditional roles where men hold authority over women. The piece highlights the contradiction between teaching men to be providers and protectors while simultaneously implying that women should be dependent on men, leading to harmful beliefs about control in relationships.
Bias read (Progressive): The article presents a strong critique of systemic gender inequality as the root cause of gender-based violence, advocating for structural change rather than merely punitive measures. The framing emphasizes social constructs and institutionalized sexism, aligning with progressive perspectives on the
Why factuality (70): The article provides general context about gender-based violence but lacks specific data or references to official sources like the Human Sciences Research Council study mentioned in other articles. It focuses more on opinion and analysis than on verifiable facts.
Why objectivity (50): The article takes a strong ideological stance, arguing that gender inequality is the root cause of GBV and criticizing current responses as insufficient. This framing is clearly biased toward a particular perspective and uses emotive language such as 'we keep pruning' and 'uncomfortable question.'
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