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Chikunga launches programme to get men fighting gender-based violence

Published

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga launched the National Positive Masculinity Programme in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, on Friday. She said government will put R3.8 billion into social workers and expand sexual offences courts from 55 to 101.

Chikunga said the programme will travel to every province, district, school, workplace and household. She said the war on gender-based violence and femicide cannot be won by one institution or one individual.

She said funding includes R3.8 billion to employ more than 3 500 social workers. Another R186 million will strengthen forensic and investigative capacity. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities gets R157.4 million for coordination and oversight.

Thuthuzela Care Centres will grow from 72 to 80 by 2028/29. The President's Four-Point Plan includes a 60-day audit of unresolved sexual offences and violent crimes against women and children.

Chikunga cited a 2024 study by the Human Sciences Research Council. It found one in three women aged 18 and older have faced physical or sexual violence. Physical violence affected 29.3% of women with disabilities and 21.7% of women without.

Key facts

Who
Sindisiwe Chikunga (Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities); Human Sciences Research Council (published the first South African National Gender-Based Violence Study in 2024)
What
At the launch of the National Positive Masculinity Programme in Ermelo on Friday, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga urged men and boys to take an active role in preventing GBVF, and outlined funding and policy commitments, including R3.8 billion for social workers and expanded sexual offences courts.
When
23 October 2026
Where
Ermelo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal
Status
Reported

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