28 March 2019
Government together with representatives of civil society organisations will host the Presidential launch of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Declaration as well as the opening of the Booysens Magistrates’ Court in Oakdene South of Johannesburg.
The Declaration is borne out of the National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit which was held in November 2018. The Summit was jointly hosted by government, civil society and other role-players in an effort to find solutions to the scourge of gender-based violence and Femicide.
The summit was in response to a request by thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings in August last year to highlight the plight of women and girls in the country. At the end of the two-day summit, participants presented a national declaration of priority actions, setting the roadmap to a South Africa free from GBV and femicide.
In a declaration, delegates endorsed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for all South Africans to respond to GBV and to establish a multi-sectoral structure to allocate the necessary resources required, and develop a national strategy. They committed to ensure adequate resourcing of Thuthuzela Care Centres, sexual offences courts and shelters that respond to the needs of all people including people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+.
Booysens Magistrate Court offers a range of services and is fully equipped to support victims of gender-based violence and femicide. Its services include:
- A fully fledged Sexual Offences Court
- Family Law services such as maintenance, domestic violence, harassment and children’s court matters
- Small claims court services
- Civil and Criminal Court services – Regional and District
It will play a key role in alleviating the demand for services at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court.
If you are a rape survivor and need help click on the Thuthuzela Care Centre logo below to find a care centre near you:
Useful numbers to keep:
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Speeches. statements and advisories:
