That was part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s message on Women’s Day, yesterday. In his weekly letter, he said the “tragic phenomenon” has consequences for a child’s development. Ramaphosa says the march to the Union Buildings by around 20 000 women in 1956 in opposition to the extension of pass laws was not just a protest against the dehumanising laws, but it was also an economic protest.

President Ramaphosa also expressed his gratitude towards the first phase of an innovative Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Private Sector Response Fund which has, to date, received some R141 million in pledges. The amount was raised during the launch of the GBVF Response Fund. aimed at supporting the implementation of the National Strategic Plan and the wider GBVF response in the country. Based on the success of raising funds, the President has, again, called on businesses, donors, philanthropists, and individuals to contribute to the fund’s work.