NEWS
Fed Up With Femicide & Gender-Based Violence? Here’s How You Can Help
On November 21, South African women will withdraw their labor to demonstrate against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Here's how you can join the collective fight for change.
Women for Change, a South African organization behind the shutdown, has built a national campaign asking that gender-based violence and femicide be declared a national disaster.
by Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images)
Social media is flooded with a purple wave; a loud call for the governments of South Africa and the world to pay attention to the bleak rates of femicide in the country. Femicide is a prevalent concern all over the world; however, South Africa has some of the highest rates of femicide in the world, with studies showing that three women are killed by an intimate partner every day.
Women for Change, the organization behind the shutdown, has built a national campaign asking that gender-based violence and femicide be declared a national disaster. The organization is calling it the “G20 Women’s Shutdown,” slated for Friday, 21 November 2025, the day before the G20 summit in Johannesburg. The shutdown is aimed at demonstrating the economic and social impact when women withdraw their labor. On April 11, Women for Change hand-delivered a petition against GBV to Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike. That handover helped escalate national attention. Public signatures translated into real momentum, one that they hope to build with the shutdown.
“When women stop, the country stops. We’re not asking for attention — we’re asking for action: declare GBVF a national disaster, fund survivor services properly, and make systems that protect women instead of failing them,” says Merlize Justine Jogiat, an abuse activist and coach who is a prominent figure in the Women for Change movement.
So, what can ordinary people actually do to support the campaign? Here are real, tangible steps you can take to participate and contribute, today and in the long run.
Everybody can act: Immediate, practical actions
Join the shutdown: If you’re currently in South Africa, be part of the shutdown actions on November 21. Women for Change urges people to wear black, and boycott paid or unpaid work for the day, take part in the 15-minute standstill at 12:00 pm (SAST), and refrain from spending money. Fiscal withdrawal is important, as it highlights the fact that when women withdraw their labor and resources, the country’s economic activities come to a halt. If you’re unable to participate physically, help the organization amplify its message by changing your social media avatar to purple, using the hashtag #WomenShutdown, and sharing verified information about the shutdown.
Sign and share the petition: Petitions can be effective, building political pressure and media attention that governments cannot ignore.
Amplify survivor voices, responsibly: Share verified survivor testimonies and resources, only with consent. Personal stories cut through apathy — but do it responsibly: flag helplines and support links whenever you share.
Donate: To local NGOs and community-led safety projects, including Women for Change.
Learn and share bystander steps: Take simple actions to protect each other; call the police if someone is in immediate danger, document incidents safely, including time, place, and witnesses, support the survivor emotionally, and help them access legal/medical care.
Lobby where you can: Email MPs, comment on government consultations, and ask local councillors to back the “declare GBVF a national disaster” call.
If you are in South Africa, how will you be participating? Share with us.
