25 November 2025 Media Release: GRDM joins global 16 Days of Activism Campaign to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
Media Release: GRDM joins global 16 Days of Activism Campaign to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
For immediate release
25 November 2025
Officials from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), women and men, joined the rest of the world in marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign earlier today. The campaign runs annually from 25 November to 10 December, and this year it is observed under the theme: “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).”
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the campaign with its primary goal remaining to raise awareness, inspire action, and promote accountability in the fight to end gender-based violence. This year’s theme is anchored in the Positive Masculinity Dialogue, which will be hosted on the margins of the G20 Ministerial Meeting and builds on G20 outcomes related to GBVF.
On 18 November 2025, during the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa declared GBVF a national disaster in South Africa. This decision was officially welcomed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.
As the first African country to host the G20 host, South Africa placed the eradication of GBVF at the centre of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group’s agenda. The G20 Leaders’ Declaration further reinforced this commitment, highlighting global priorities such as sustainable development, equality, and the urgent need to address gender-based violence.
Today, GRDM officials, all dressed in black, gathered at the municipality’s parking area at the back of the head office. Special words of encouragement and support were shared by GRDM Councillors Ald. Nompumelelo Sumeia Ndayi (MMC for Corporate Services) and Cllr Clodia Lichaba. Rian Boshoff (Chief Financial Officer) and Deon Stoffels (Fire Chief), also delivered messages of support, emphasising that violence against women remains a major concern that requires a whole of society approach; a human rights crisis, affecting nearly one in three women in their lifetime.
In a demonstration of global solidarity and to pledge their commitment to ending violence against women and girls, as well as gender-based violence, officials painted their hands and left their handprints on a large poster. Following this, staff formed a large circle, joining hands in solidarity and support for the drive to end gender-based violence.
The campaign serves as a reminder that creating a safe and inclusive environment is everyone’s responsibility. During this period, staff are encouraged to start conversations about GBVF in its many forms, support one another, and reaffirm their commitment to fostering respect, equality, and dignity for all.
Other important commemorative days during this period include World AIDS Day on 1 December and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December each year.
Did you know?
16 Days of Activism provides a platform for individuals and institutions to:
- Advocate for the rights and safety of women and girls
- Challenge harmful norms and inequalities
- Support survivors of violence
- Strengthen laws, policies, and systems that protect vulnerable groups
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Office of the Municipal Manager employees from GRDM chose girls from Tyholora Primary School in Thembalethu, George, as the beneficiary of their sanitary pad donation drive. Although schools were closed on the day, employees managed to collect the sanitary pads varying from 8 to 32 per pack and handed it over to the school on Thursday, 31 July 2024. This initiative aims to help reduce school absenteeism among girls and promotes dignity. Speaker of GRDM, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans, also attended the handover occasion.
The Integrated Planning and Economic Development Department visited the Rosemoor Old Age Home to deliver much needed adult diapers. The donation was warmly received, as the home is often in urgent need of these essential supplies. The staff of the Old Age Home expressed their sincere gratitude for the thoughtful gesture and emphasised how much the support means to the well-being of their residents.
Community Services’ Municipal Health section in Oudtshoorn, reached out to the Spies Kamp community, a rural area outside Schoemanshoek, Oudtshoorn. The team donated clothes to the community which they handed over to a community leader/representative within the specific area. They also took responsibility for the sorting and distribution of the clothing items to residents that may have a need.
Staff from the Finance Department at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) visited the SPCA today to hand over dog food to the facility. The event formed part of the Mandela Day celebrations and their 67 minutes contribution in honour of his legacy.
EHPs presented a health education session to the Golden Valley community regarding illegal dumping. Team members also handed out magnets depicting contact information about where communities can report illegal dumping cases. More than 50 households were reached during the campaign. They also joined George Municipality’s Waste Management section and Environmental Management educators to conduct a clean-up campaign in the same area. They collected over 20 bags within the first hour.
Under the theme “Mind, Body and Motion,” all participants were encouraged to dress sporty and actively participate in the session. This session served as an annual introduction to the Wellness Day Policy, emphasising the significance of maintaining good physical and mental health for all employees. The specific purpose of this Wellness Day was to introduce a draft Policy for the Annual Garden Route Wellness Day in the region. This policy aims to facilitate coordination between the District, B-municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders in the field, ensuring a collaborative approach to wellness initiatives.
