UN sounds alarm over Ekurhuleni murders in South Africa

A United Nations warning has been issued over a spate of murders of women in South Africa's East Rand, highlighting a pervasive and lethal crisis of gender-based violence that the UN deems far from isolated incidents. South Africa's declaration of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster must now be met with immediate action, according to the UN, which urges greater accountability, enhanced access to justice, and sustained financial support.

This was conveyed by the UN team in South Africa and reinforced at UN headquarters by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. The UN's concern over the recent killings of women in the East Rand underscores the enormity and endurance of gender-based violence throughout the nation. The organization is now urging concrete commitments that translate into real results, such as ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, improving women's access to justice, advancing economic empowerment, and securing sustained financing and monitoring.

The UN pledges to persist in supporting South Africa's fulfillment of its international human rights obligations and its national strategy to combat gender-based violence and femicide.