MPs call for real funding to back GBVF disaster declaration

Members of Parliament are urging the government to reclassify gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster, this time using the Disaster Management Act's provisions that would unlock emergency funding from the National Treasury. This call comes in the wake of a recent spate of GBVF-related murders and sexual assaults in Ekurhuleni.

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities noted that the GBVF crisis has worsened despite its declaration as a national disaster last year. While MPs from various political parties have urged the government to provide dedicated funding for the implementation of the national strategic plan and disaster response, they argue that the current disaster classification lacks "teeth" and seems to be purely ceremonial.

The committee's chair, Liezl van der Merwe, emphasized the importance of ring-fenced funding for the GBVF response, stating that plans on paper and good ideas are insufficient without the necessary financial resources. In November, the government classified GBVF as a national disaster under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, which allows departments to reprioritize existing funds and strengthen coordination across government spheres.

However, civil society advocacy groups have criticized the classification for not translating into tangible improvements for affected communities. The Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister explained that the government opted to use a section of the Act that is already in use for other disasters, rather than Section 27, which would have unlocked additional funding and executive powers.

The department confirmed that the classification has not received any funding, calling for the reprioritization of budgets from existing departmental baselines. While the government acknowledged fiscal constraints at the time of the classification, Van der Merwe criticized the knee-jerk reaction and advocated for invoking the section of the Act that would enable the National Treasury to release funds.

She emphasized that additional resources could be allocated to hire more social workers, purchase rape kits, and train police officers on GBVF issues.