South Africa has a big problem when it comes to gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. In fact, it’s so bad that it could be described as an epidemic. More than half of women – 51% – in the country have reported experiencing GBV. This is something that needs to end so that women and other vulnerable people can feel safe, as is their right.

A recent study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) found that 33.1% of all women aged 18 years and older have experienced physical violence in their lifetime. This translates to around 7,310,389 women. What’s more, 9.9% of women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, with more than 35% of women over 18 having experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

Out of the 183 countries listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2016, South Africa held the fourth-highest female interpersonal violence death rate. We also have femicide rates that are five times higher than the global average. 

These numbers speak to a serious problem, and one that needs an urgent solution so that more women can be saved from abuse and death. This is why the non-profit organisation, Women For Change (WFC), is spearheading a G20 Women’s Shutdown on Friday, 21 November. 

Ahead of the G20 summit, which is taking place in Johannesburg, WFC are encouraging women across the country to refrain from all paid and unpaid work for the day. This is to silence the nation and show just how much of an impact women have on the country, and how much their absence would be felt. 

Ways that women can participate are:

• Don’t work. No paid or unpaid labour. 
• Don’t spend money and withdraw from the economy for one day. 
• Join the 15-Minute Standstill by lying down for 15 minutes at 12 pm to honour the 15 women murdered every day and bring South Africa to a complete standstill.
• Wear black to stand in mourning and resistance. 
• Change your profile picture to purple to make the Shutdown visible online.
• Share. Share. Share. Make the Shutdown impossible to ignore. Talk about it and share the hashtag, #WomenShutdown.

21st Century Funeral Services recognises the urgent need for us to unite our voices and our actions in support of a society where women and children are protected, empowered, and given equal opportunity to thrive. We pledge to utilise our platforms to raise awareness, drive impact, and stand alongside those advocating for change.

21st Century Funeral is a female-led organisation and the majority of its employees are women. Every day, we walk alongside families who have felt the heartbreak of loss, including the loss of loved ones from violence. As a trusted funeral service brand for over 20 years, we see the impact of violence far too often.

Standing with women and children is not optional. It’s a responsibility.

Together, we can turn solidarity into action, and action into change.