South Africa's Timeline of Shame: Photo Essay of seven years of protests against GBVF
Visual timeline of the major South African protests against gender-based violence and femicide, from #EndRapeCulture and #TotalShutdown to renewed calls for accountability in 2026.
South Africa has grappled with a crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) since 2019. The struggle against GBVF continues, with protests demanding a safer nation. In 2026, the government classified GBVF as a national disaster, but the situation remains unchanged from a decade prior. Families and protesters anxiously await answers and protection, while the official language fails to convey the human impact.
The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024, established a permanent mechanism to coordinate and monitor the national response. However, the disaster declaration has not safeguarded South African women and children. On December 7, the South African Women's Lawyers Association marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, demanding more action from the government.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters marched in Durban, demanding justice for murdered queer people and those affected by GBV. They linked civic authority to the court, emphasizing that a national GBV response must include LGBTQ+ individuals. The photographs reveal two levels of action: one asking the neighbourhood to respond, and the other calling on the Presidency and Parliament to account.
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