South African Women Stage Nationwide Protests Against Gender-Based Violence on Eve of G20 Summit

JOHANNESBURG — On November 21, 2025, hundreds of women across South Africa participated in a coordinated "G20 Women's Shutdown" to protest rampant gender-based violence and femicide, just one day before the country hosts its first Group of 20 (G20) summit on the African continent. Organized by the nonprofit Women for Change, the action involved a nationwide withdrawal of labor—both paid and unpaid—followed by 15-minute silent lie-down demonstrations symbolizing the 15 women killed daily due to gender violence in the country. The protests, held in cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban, drew participants ranging from ordinary citizens and survivors to celebrities and activists, many wearing black and holding signs reading "My body is not your crime scene" and "Stop violence against women."

The demonstrations underscore a stark contradiction: South Africa, presiding over the G20 from December 2024 to November 2025, has championed progressive gender equality agendas on the global stage, yet grapples with one of the world's highest femicide rates—five times the global average, according to UN Women. With the summit set to convene world leaders in Johannesburg on November 22-23 to discuss economic growth and global development, protesters aimed to spotlight the human cost of inequality at home, urging G20 nations to prioritize women's safety in international policy.

The Scale and Symbolism of the Shutdown

The G20 Women's Shutdown called on women and LGBTQ+ individuals to refrain from work, shopping, and domestic labor for the day, highlighting the economic and social contributions of those most affected by violence. In Johannesburg's botanical gardens, over 300 participants lay silently for 15 minutes at noon, a gesture representing the hourly toll of femicide in South Africa, where a woman is murdered every 2.5 hours, often by someone known to her. Similar actions unfolded in other cities, with allies in Eswatini, Kenya, and Namibia joining in solidarity.

The campaign, amplified by a social media drive that turned profile pictures purple—a color symbolizing GBV awareness—garnered over 200,000 signatures on a Women for Change petition demanding that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) be declared a national disaster, akin to the COVID-19 response. Organizers, including Women for Change founder Lindsay Wessel, framed the shutdown as a "direct message to the world" that economic progress cannot ignore the "battlefield" of women's bodies. Participants shared personal stories, with one anonymous professor from Free State province traveling to Johannesburg after taking leave, citing family members affected by assault.

The action builds on a history of mobilization, including the 2019 nationwide protests following the rape and murder of University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana, which prompted the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. Despite such efforts, implementation has lagged, with critics pointing to underfunded police and judicial systems as key failures.

Government Response: Declaration of National Disaster

In a direct acknowledgment of the protests, South Africa's government declared gender-based violence a national disaster on November 21, invoking the Disaster Management Act to mandate coordinated action and resource allocation across ministries. The declaration, announced by the Presidency, requires the development of an emergency plan within 60 days, including enhanced funding for victim support, police training, and judicial reforms.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at a G20 civil society sideline event earlier in the week, described GBV as a "national crisis" and emphasized the women's "cry for more focus." He committed to integrating gender violence prevention into South Africa's G20 priorities, such as women's economic empowerment and climate resilience. The move aligns with the country's progressive international stance, including tabling a G20 working group on gender equality during its presidency.

However, some activists expressed skepticism, noting that a similar strategic plan from 2020 has seen uneven enforcement. Women for Change's petition also demands stricter measures, such as rejecting bail in major GBV cases, pursuing life sentences for offenders, and holding law enforcement accountable for negligence.

Broader Context: A Global Spotlight on Local Struggles

The protests coincide with heightened international attention on South Africa's GBV crisis. The G20 summit, themed "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," provides a platform for advocates to lobby world leaders—expected to include U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and European heads of state—for commitments on gender justice. Organizers argue that addressing violence is essential to sustainable development, as it hampers women's workforce participation and economic growth.

South Africa's challenges are emblematic of broader African trends: The continent accounts for one-third of global GBV cases, per UN data, with underreporting common due to stigma and weak institutions. Yet, the shutdown's success in prompting a disaster declaration has been praised by international groups like Amnesty International, which called it a "vital step toward accountability."

Key Protest ElementsDescriptionImpactLabor WithdrawalWomen and LGBTQ+ individuals boycotted work and spendingHighlights economic role of women; estimated disruption in key sectors like healthcare and educationLie-Down Action15-minute silent protests at noonSymbolizes daily femicide toll; drew media coverage in Johannesburg and beyondPurple CampaignSocial media profile changes to purpleOver 200,000 petition signatures; solidarity from celebrities and global alliesPetition DemandsNational disaster status, bail reforms, accountabilityPrompted government declaration; calls for judicial and police overhauls

Looking Ahead: From Protest to Policy

As the G20 unfolds, the women's movement vows to sustain pressure, with plans for follow-up actions in 2026. Ramaphosa's administration has pledged a multi-stakeholder forum post-summit to refine the emergency response, but success will depend on implementation amid competing priorities like economic recovery and unemployment, which stands at 32%.

The G20 Women's Shutdown not only amplified South African voices but also reframed the summit's narrative, reminding global leaders that true progress requires confronting the shadows beneath economic headlines. For the women who lay down in Johannesburg's parks, it was a moment of collective defiance—and a call for enduring change.