South African Women Stage Nationwide Lie-Down Protests Against Gender-Based Violence Ahead of G20 Summit

Nationwide Protests Highlight Femicide Crisis

On Friday, November 21, 2025, hundreds of South African women, activists, and celebrities participated in widespread lie-down protests across Johannesburg and other major cities. The demonstrations, organized by the non-profit group Women for Change, took place just one day before the commencement of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, marking the first time the global leaders' meeting is held on the African continent.

Protesters, many dressed in black, lay on the ground for 15 minutes, a symbolic act representing the estimated 15 lives lost daily to gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. The country faces a severe crisis, with a femicide rate that is five times higher than the global average, according to U.N. Women. Participants held placards with messages such as 'Why do you hate us?' and 'My body is not your crime scene,' with some survivors of gender violence openly weeping during the silent protest.

Demands for Urgent Government Action

The protests culminated a month-long campaign by Women for Change, which included a petition garnering over one million signatures. The organization's key demands included:

• The declaration of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster.
• The state prosecuting body to reject bail in significant GBV cases.
• The pursuit of life sentences for offenders.
• Holding law enforcement and justice officials accountable for negligence and misconduct in GBV cases.

Courtney Gelderblom, a 19-year-old protest coordinator, explained the significance of the lie-down action, stating, 'Every minute that we lie in silence is to mourn and honor those we have lost.'

Government Responds Amidst G20 Spotlight

In a significant development on the day of the protests, the South African government officially declared gender-based violence a national disaster. This declaration mandates authorities to prioritize the issue and allocate resources to combat it. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at a G20 sideline summit for civil society, acknowledged the severity of the situation, referring to gender-based violence as a 'national crisis.'

The timing of the protests, strategically held ahead of the G20 Summit, aimed to draw international attention to South Africa's struggle with GBV. Professor Corné Davis-Buitendag, a gender violence expert, highlighted the relevance of the protest's timing, noting that gender-based violence significantly impacts global development and economies.

Alarming Statistics on Gender-Based Violence

The protests underscore a deeply entrenched problem in South Africa. Statistics reveal the pervasive nature of GBV:

• Between 2020 and 2021, 5.5 women per 100,000 were killed by intimate partners, according to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
• A 2022 government survey indicated that one in three South African women had experienced physical violence, and nearly 10 percent had faced sexual violence.
• In the first three months of 2025, over 10,700 cases of rape were reported to the police, with actual numbers expected to be much higher.
• An HSRC survey found that 33.1% of South African women over 18 experienced physical violence in their lifetime, and 9.8% experienced sexual violence.
• The economic cost of GBV to South Africa is estimated to be between R28.4-billion and R42.4-billion annually, representing 0.9% to 1.3% of the GDP.

These figures highlight the urgent need for sustained and effective interventions to address the crisis of gender-based violence and femicide in the country.