South African women, led by Women For Change, delivered a powerful message to the Union Buildings. Marching with determination for a better and safer world for their fellow sisters, mothers and daughters, they carried a massive casket – a chilling symbol of the devastating reality of femicide in the nation.
Pretoria, South Africa (16 April 2025) – South African women are tired. Tired of being silenced, the excuses, losing their fellow sisters and a complex justice system.
Women For Change and its supporters, who shared the same mission, boldly marched to the Union Buildings on Friday, 11 April armed with a massive, custom-made casket decorated with 5,578 woven African beads, each representing a woman murdered between 2023 and 2024.
Larger than your standard coffin, it is representative of the staggering 33.8% increase in femicide over the previous year, accompanied by 42,569 reported rape cases – and WFC believes these horrifying statistics have been met with silence from the government.
“This casket will not be buried until femicide ends. Until this crisis of violence is properly addressed. Until decisive action is taken to protect women. Until then, we will unbury the truth,” says Sabrina Walter, founder of South African women’s rights non-profit, Women for Change (WFC).
The inside of the casket was lined with images of victims of gender-based violence (GBV), alongside a letter and petition signed by more than 150,000 people calling for the ongoing South African GBV crisis to be declared a National Disaster.
“These women did not have dignity in death, many of them were killed by their partners. Today, we want to honour them with a casket that will not be buried, that can not be ignored,” said Bulelwa Adonis, spokesperson for WFC.
The demonstration at the Union Buildings follows the organisation’s critique of the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide National.
“Despite the well-intentioned policy framework of the GBVF National Strategic Plan, there has been a lack of urgency in implementing and funding its commitments, leading to our country experiencing its highest femicide rates to date,” said Walter.
WFC’s petition has demanded that, alongside the declaration of a national disaster, immediate action be taken through judicial and legislative reforms, funding the GBVF National Strategic Plan, allowing public access to the National Sex Offenders Register and improved education and awareness campaigns.
Ultimately, their message is clear: the truth of this crisis will remain unearthed until meaningful change arrives.
Sources: Supplied
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