Over 1,000 Gather at Union Buildings in Pretoria for Nationwide Shutdown Against Gender-Based Violence
Pretoria – More than 1,000 people from all corners of South Africa came together at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, 21 November 2025, to demand an end to gender-based violence. Men, women, young, and old stood side by side in a show of unity, calling for stronger action against the abuse that has plagued the country for too long. The nationwide shutdown, organised as part of efforts to highlight the crisis, used the G20 platform to draw global attention. Protesters wore purple to symbolise their cause, chanting and holding signs that read “Enough is Enough” and urging the government to treat GBV as a national disaster. This gathering builds on a growing movement, with a petition gathering nearly a million signatures to push for real change.
The event comes just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster, a move that activists hope will lead to more resources and urgent steps. As South Africa hosts the G20 Summit, protesters saw this as a chance to spotlight the issue on the world stage, reminding leaders that true progress means protecting the vulnerable at home.
Background to the Nationwide Shutdown
The shutdown was sparked by years of frustration over rising GBV cases, with women and children often bearing the brunt. Organised by groups pushing for women’s rights, it called on people from every province to join in solidarity. In Pretoria, the crowd swelled to over 1,000, but similar actions happened across the country, from Cape Town to Durban. The aim was to disrupt normal life just enough to make leaders listen, without causing harm.
This protest ties into a petition launched earlier in 2025, which has collected close to a million signatures demanding GBV be seen as a national disaster. That status could unlock emergency funds and special measures, like more shelters and faster court cases. Activists argue that without this, the cycle of violence will continue, costing lives and tearing families apart.
South Africa’s GBV stats are grim, with thousands of cases reported each year, many going unsolved. The shutdown builds on past marches, like the 2018 Total Shutdown, showing that the fight is far from over. By linking it to the G20, protesters hope to pressure global leaders for support in tackling root causes like inequality and poverty.
Voices from the Protesters
Among the crowd, men stepped up to show that ending GBV is everyone’s duty. Kamohelo Metsing, a protester, shared his thoughts: “The women birthed us as men, built societies through that, it is something a man can never experience and if we are to harm people that bring life to us, what future do we have?”
Another voice, Kegan Raea, added: “My question is why they violate women, men that violate women are not supposed to live in this society.” These words echo a growing call for men to protect women, not harm them, and for society to hold abusers accountable.
Women at the event spoke of personal fears and losses, urging for safer streets and homes. Young people joined too, highlighting how GBV affects their futures, from school safety to job chances. The mix of ages and backgrounds showed how widespread the problem is, touching every community.
Linking the Protest to the G20 Summit
The timing of the shutdown was no accident – it coincided with South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Summit, the first time an African nation has led these global talks. Protesters used the international spotlight to amplify their message, marching with signs that linked GBV to bigger issues like inequality and poverty discussed at the summit.
They argued that world leaders cannot talk about fair growth while ignoring violence that holds back half the population. The G20’s focus on solidarity and sustainability gave them a platform to call for global help, like funding for anti-GBV programmes in developing countries. Activists hope the summit’s outcomes, like the Leaders’ Declaration, will include strong commitments to gender equality and safety.
This link also ties into recent government moves, like the president’s disaster declaration, showing how local actions can influence world policies.
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