By Marcus Moloko
In a powerful wave of mobilisation, thousands of people have gathered across provinces for the G20 Women’s Shutdown, a nationwide protest demanding urgent government action on gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and social justice.
The coordinated demonstrations, which were timed deliberately ahead of the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, aim to place the voices of South African women on a global stage to compel leaders to respond with meaningful change.
The strategic move to ensure that the plight of women is heard by the world’s most powerful governments and institutions has organisers maintaining the demand for government accountability on gender based violence and social justice.
Meeting points
The shutdown meeting points will be across multiple provinces.
Gauteng
Aula lawn, University of Pretoria
Union Buildings lawn, Pretoria
Johannesburg, Botanical Gardens, Randburg
Western Cape
Sea Point promenade, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Rooiplein
Eastern Cape
Eastern Beach, East London
Summerstrand beach, Gqeberha
Northern Cape
Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley.
These locations have been chosen not only for their visibility but also for their historical and civic significance.
Early footage on social media shows scenes from Cape Town, Pretoria, and East London, showing women dressed in purple and black, holding placards that read “enough is enough”.
South African women have made it clear that they will not be sidelined, and that the country’s GBVF “pandemic” must be central to global policy discussion
Keep reading for more updates, interviews, and live coverage from across the country.
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