Outcome ZAF_D_7.1

By 2025, all people in South Africa, particularly women and girls, vulnerable and marginalized populations, have protection from violence and discrimination and enjoy improved human rights and social cohesion

The work covered by 2023- 2025 Strategic Note has allowed UN Women to sustain partnership with the Government of South Africa and civil society; this has contributed to strengthening the country’s policy and institutional architecture to protect women and vulnerable groups from violence and discrimination. In 2023, UN Women supported the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF) and capacity-building for police and duty bearers in gender-sensitive response and child trauma care, enhancing frontline protection services like SAPS. Over this period, UN Women also catalysed multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Private Sector Coalition against gender-based violence, increasing private sector engagement in prevention and response, and contributed to regional dialogues on male engagement, advancing prevention strategies across institutions. By 2025, these efforts aligned with national and community actions to bolster legal protections, expand access to justice, and mobilise diverse partnerships for social change all critical to improving human rights and social cohesion for women, girls, and marginalised populations in South Africa.

By 2025, all people in South Africa, particularly women and girls, vulnerable and marginalized populations, have protection from violence and discrimination and enjoy improved human rights and social cohesion

A National strategic initiative for the private sector to actively tackle gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace has been curated through a partnership between UN Women and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund together with the Presidency, UNFPA, ILO and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). This resulted in the launch of the Private Sector Coalition (PSC) during a symposium held in Johannesburg on 27th August 2024, and attended by multiple Private Sector groups, Development Partners, donors, United Nations in South Africa, the Academia, Civil Society Organizations, and the media. The Maturity Model was developed as a vital instrument for engaging the private sector in South Africa's efforts to combat GBV and femicide. By providing a structured framework, tools for implementation, and mechanisms for recognition and accountability, this model ensures a comprehensive and sustainable approach to addressing GBVF. Through this initiative, the private sector will play a significant role in supporting the goals of the National Strategic Plan for GBV and Femicide (2020-2030), contributing to a safer and more equitable society for all and supporting the LNOB principles. UN Women will continue to leverage the relationship with the GBVF Response Fund to mobilize and engage the private sector in the prevention of violence against women and girls in the workplace, and supply chain.