New GBVF council faces pressure to deliver funding and accountability

South Africa's new National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has faced pressure to deliver funding, accountability and practical changes for survivors from civil society organisations. During its inaugural meeting in Pretoria, the council agreed to develop a Shareholder Compact, a costing framework and identify funding gaps for GBVF response.

However, critics warn that the council's achievements are premature and that implementing the council won't automatically translate into meaningful change. South Africa already has legislation and a National Strategic Plan on GBVF, but implementation remains the central problem. The council's first priorities, according to civil society, should lead to better funding, stronger accountability and practical changes for survivors.

Some of the most serious funding gaps are experienced by organizations providing direct services to survivors in townships, rural areas and under-resourced communities. The costing exercise should also examine weaknesses across police, healthcare, social services and criminal justice systems. The council's success will be measured by the tangible improvements in the response to survivors and greater accountability across the system, not by the number of meetings held or reports produced.