South Africa National Action Plan

In 2005 GL conducted an Audit of Commitments made during 2004. The audit concluded that what was needed over the coming year was a South Africa National Action Plan for Ending Gender Violence.

In May 2006 civil society organisations and government representatives met to draft a National Action to End Gender Violence. Delegates adopted what is now known as the Kopanong Declaration in which a broad cross section of South Africans committed to a joint campaign for eradicating this gross human rights violation.

After the May conference, a Task Team was constituted comprising representatives of government and civil society. The team has since met to elaborate on the first action plan to stretch the Sixteen Day campaign into a year long campaign addressing all aspects of gender violence: prevention, response and support.

The South Africa 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence was launched on the 8th of March 2007 by the Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo Ncquka and National Convener of the 16 Days Campaign Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Nomatyala Hangana. This plan is a living document. It needs to be canvassed widely among different stakeholders, and be adapted by provinces, local government and all spheres of society for implementation at various levels. It will be reviewed during the 2007 and all succeeding Sixteen Day campaigns, with plans for the forthcoming year presented every International Women’s Day until such time as gender violence has ended.