The Call to Action Civil Society Collective has been at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa since 2018. Through coordinated marches, strategic advocacy, and robust educational initiatives, we have achieved significant milestones demonstrating our impact and commitment to ending GBVF.
Thousands of women across South Africa marched on August 1, 2018, demanding an urgent and high-level response to gender-based violence (GBV). This powerful demonstration led to the first-ever Presidential Summit on GBV in November 2018. The summit resulted in a historic declaration signed by civil society organizations and the President, committing to end GBV. This achievement highlighted our strong network, excellent coordination, and creative activism.
Following the #TheTotalShutdown marches, a consultative process involving activists led to the creation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Our collective played a crucial role in developing and ensuring the NSP’s adoption, advocating for effective institutional arrangements to keep GBVF high on the political agenda.
In response to rising femicide cases and Xeno/Afrophobic violence, we organized a march to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton. This action highlighted the role of economic inequality in perpetuating violence and demanded corporate investment in fighting GBVF. This event showcased our ability to link economic justice with social justice.
Leading up to the second Presidential Summit on GBVF in November 2022, we hosted a series of civil society engagements to improve understanding of the NSP and gather a unified civil society voice. Our efforts ensured transparency, accountability, and realistic government plans to address GBVF. We developed comprehensive documents outlining demands and accountability measures for the summit.
In September 2022, Simonia Mashangoane was employed as our coordinator. She streamlined our advocacy approach and led the development of a detailed work plan, communication channels, and working groups. This strengthened our collective operations and enhanced our capacity to drive impactful advocacy.
We have consistently tracked and monitored state-led activities related to the National Strategic Plan (NSP), submitted commentary on draft policies, and organized protests to ensure its effective implementation. Our submissions to the National Council on the GBVF Bill included critical governance, accountability, and intergovernmental coordination recommendations, reflecting our commitment to policy influence.
We have hosted numerous educational initiatives, including a Political Feminist Activist School, to embed feminist principles within our collective. These programs have built the capacity of our members, particularly community-based organizations, to mobilize resources and sustain their efforts in combating GBVF.
We have developed robust communication systems within our membership base, serving as a hub of information and facilitating solidarity. Our platforms have enabled meaningful engagements and the dissemination of critical materials, ensuring our collective can grow and strengthen locally and beyond.
We are dedicated to creating safe healing spaces within the collective, promoting healthy conflict resolution, and providing support to prevent burnout among first-line responders. Our wellness initiatives are designed to build resilience and foster a culture of care within the GBVF movement.
Call us: +27 68 239 4420
E-mail us: calltoactionza@gmail.com
Website: www.the-isla.org
Address: 15th Floor, Marble Towers, 208 – 211 Jeppe Street, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa