The Gender-Based Violence and Femicide National Strategic Plan (GBVF-NSP) is a strategic framework meant to guide the national response to the hyper endemic GBVF crisis in South Africa.

The GBVF-NSP was launched on 30 April 2020, and developed by the Interim Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Steering Committee in collaboration with civil society.

The GBVF-NSP has 6 pillars:

  1. Accountability, Coordination and Leadership

  2. Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion

  3. Protection, Safety and Justice

  4. Response, Care, Support and Healing

  5. Economic Power

  6. Research and Information Systems.

    The Embrace Project is currently providing support to Pillar 1.

Comprehensive National GBVF Prevention Strategy and Framework of Action

SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON 8 DECEMBER 2021.

In our comments, we recommended the inclusion of 'obstetric violence' in the forms of GBV faced by South African women. We also made specific recommendations for the inclusion of additional activities for certain stakeholders (being government departments) e.g. undergoing mandatory sensitisation training and the development of specific protocols. We also offered our services, as an organisation, to the collaborative response to GBVF."

National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill

SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON 13 DECEMBER 2021.

The Bill is meant to establish an independent multi-sectoral advisory body to ensure effective coordination and implementation of the GBVF-NSP. In our submissions, we again recommended the inclusion of 'obstetrics violence' in the definition for "Gender-Based Violence". We also recommended that the Council be made up of at least 51% women. We further recommended the disqualification of a candidate for appointment as a member of, or personnel employed by, the Council if charged with having committed gender-based violence and femicide related offences, inclusive of such offences committed in labour law, unless acquitted by a formal process."