President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South African men and boys to play a more active role in confronting gender-based violence, urging them to speak out against abuse rather than remain silent.
Addressing the National Women’s Day commemoration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday, Ramaphosa said the fight against gender-based violence and femicide could not be left to women alone.
‘Not in my name’ must become a message from men
Ramaphosa challenged men to make it clear that violence against women does not have their support.
He said men should actively distance themselves from abusive behaviour and challenge other men who commit or tolerate violence.
According to the president, GBV is a wider societal problem and must be confronted by those responsible for perpetrating it.
He called on men and boys to make a personal commitment not to harm women and to reject a culture in which violence is normalised.
Women’s Day marks a historic struggle
The president also used the occasion to reflect on the historic role played by South African women in the country’s liberation struggle.
This year’s commemoration marked 70 years since thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against apartheid pass laws.
Approximately 20,000 women took part in that historic demonstration and delivered petitions carrying more than 100,000 signatures.
Ramaphosa said the event demonstrated that women were not merely participants in the broader struggle against apartheid but were among those who helped shape its direction and leadership.
Ramaphosa highlights women’s progress in education
The president also turned his attention to the progress made by women and girls in education, while pointing to areas where greater representation is still needed.
He said women have continued to perform strongly academically but remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly known as STEM.
Ramaphosa said the country needs to encourage more girls and women to pursue opportunities in these fields.
A broader call for change
Ramaphosa’s Women’s Day message therefore combined a reflection on the past with a challenge for the present.
While honouring the women who stood up against apartheid decades ago, he urged today’s generation of men to take responsibility for confronting violence against women.
His message was clear: ending GBV requires more than statements of concern.
Men and boys must actively reject violence, challenge abusive behaviour and help create a society where women and girls can live safely.
