{
  "id": 374253,
  "title": "Ramaphosa says GBV means South African women are not yet free",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/ramaphosa-says-gbv-means-south-african-women-are-not-yet-free",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T12:32:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/ramaphosa-says-gbv-means-south-african-women-are-not-free/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the ongoing struggle for women's equality in South Africa, emphasizing that although the nation has made progress, the fight for women's rights is far from complete. He highlighted that women currently hold high-ranking positions, such as chief justice, speaker of the National Assembly, and chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. Ramaphosa acknowledged these achievements, stating that they were hard-fought and must be defended. However, he noted that obstacles persist for women in South Africa, including economic disparities, lack of work opportunities, and the burden of care work that is often unacknowledged. The president outlined government initiatives to promote equal opportunities for women, such as opening public procurement to women-owned businesses and increasing access to finance and markets through the Women Economic Assembly. Education was also emphasized as crucial for women's empowerment, with more women than men currently enrolled in higher education institutions. Despite these advancements, Ramaphosa stressed that gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue, describing it as a national disaster. He called for men to join the effort in preventing violence against women by engaging with young men, traditional leaders, and community figures to change harmful behaviors and mindsets. Ramaphosa emphasized that everyone who remains silent about GBV is also guilty, condemning any justification for the abuse of women based on culture, religion, or patriarchal norms. He urged the entire society to unite in combating this pervasive issue, ensuring that South African women can ultimately enjoy the fundamental right of freedom from fear.",
  "summary": "President said the struggles of women are far from over in South Africa",
  "key_points": [
    "President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed South Africa's struggle for women's equality.",
    "Women hold high-ranking positions, but GBV remains a national disaster.",
    "Government initiatives aim to promote equal opportunities for women."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}