OHANNESBURG, South Africa — Hundreds of women gathered in a Johannesburg park on Friday to protest gender-based violence (GBV), staging a 15-minute silent lie-down to symbolize the 15 women killed daily in South Africa.
The demonstration, organized by the nonprofit Women for Change, came just one day before the opening of the G20 summit — the first to be hosted on African soil.
Symbolic Protest
Participants dressed in black, lying silently on the ground to mourn victims of femicide. “The silence for 15 minutes is a minute of silence for every woman that would have fallen within the day,” said Courtney Gelderblom, a 19-year-old protest coordinator.
Survivors of violence joined the action, some weeping as they lay down. Placards read: “Why do you hate us?” and “My body is not your crime scene.”
National Crisis
South Africa has one of the world’s highest femicide rates — five times the global average, according to UN Women. Despite promoting a progressive gender agenda during its G20 presidency, the country has struggled with GBV for decades.
In response to mounting pressure, including a petition with over one million signatures, the government on Friday declared GBV a national disaster, ordering authorities to dedicate resources to combat the crisis.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at a G20 civil society sideline summit, acknowledged the scale of the problem: “The women of our country are crying out that they need much more focus on the issue.”
Social Media Solidarity
The protest also gained traction online, with citizens and celebrities rallying behind the call. Grammy-winning singer Tyla turned her profile picture purple — the color symbolizing women’s rights.
The protest petition received more than a million signatures.