What's Happening?
Hundreds of women in South Africa staged a lie-down protest in Johannesburg to highlight the country's high femicide rate, which is five times the global average. The protest, organized by Women for Change, took place a day before the G20 summit and aimed
to draw attention to gender-based violence. Participants included survivors and activists, who laid down for 15 minutes to symbolize the 15 lives lost daily to such violence. The protest was part of a month-long campaign urging the government to take action, resulting in the declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster.
Why It's Important?
The protest underscores the urgent need for action against gender-based violence in South Africa, a country with a high femicide rate. By declaring it a national disaster, the government is compelled to allocate resources and focus on combating this issue. The timing of the protest, coinciding with the G20 summit, aims to elevate the issue to a global platform, highlighting its impact on societal development and economic costs. The movement calls for stricter legal measures and accountability in handling gender violence cases.
