SOUTH AFRICANS TURN SOCIAL MEDIA PURPLE TO DECLARE GBV A NATIONAL DISASTER

A wave of purple has swept across social media platforms in South Africa as citizens mobilise to demand the government declare gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national disaster.

The online movement, marked by users adopting purple profile pictures, is a visual protest against the increase of violence targeting women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The campaign is spearheaded by the activist group #WomenForChange, which is also organising a nationwide march scheduled for November 21.

The initiative aims to spotlight what many describe as a devastating national crisis. President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously termed GBVF a “second pandemic,” on the nation. Despite progress in other areas, violent crimes against women remain alarmingly high.

Recent data from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) quantifies the crisis. A report indicated that between July and September 2024 alone, 957 women were murdered and over 10,000 rapes were reported. The survey further revealed that more than one in three South African women over 18 have experienced physical violence in their lifetime.

The purple symbolism represents solidarity with survivors, those who have lost their lives to violence, and those still trapped in abusive situations. As part of the November 21 action, Women For Change is urging all women and LGBTQ+ community members to withdraw from both paid and unpaid labor for the day. “We demand that GBVF be declared a national disaster now,” the organization stated.