Government postpones gender-based violence and femicide summit

The announcement of the summit was in response to calls made by women who participated in the #TotalShutDown march putting the spotlight on the plight of women in South Africa.

The Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit which was scheduled to take place on Friday this coming week has been postponed to 1 and 2 November 2018.

"The Presidency has received and accepted requests to broaden attendance at the Summit, to include amongst others traditional leadership, the artistic sector, and other civil society groups.

"Inevitably such an approach will foster greater inclusivity and forge a sense of common purpose in addressing the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide," said the Presidency in a statement on Sunday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who announced the summit, said it aims to address challenges faced by women.

The announcement of the summit was in response to calls made by women who participated in the #TotalShutDown march putting the spotlight on the plight of women in South Africa.

In a memorandum handed to the President, marchers asked that the President convene a summit to address gender-based violence as a matter of urgency.

(With inputs from South Africa Government press release)