President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday said that eradicating gender-based violence was more crucial than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several women have been killed since the lockdown started in March, with the president calling it a pandemic in its own right.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the presidential dialogue on gender-based violence and femicide to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
Various members from the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBV, as well as representatives from faith-based organisations and civil society, took part in the virtual dialogue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also promised to change South Africa’s existing laws dealing with gender-based violence.
Ramaphosa says new laws will protect women and ensure perpetrators are dealt with accordingly.