R5.1bn set aside to fight gender-based violence, Chikunga says
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has welcomed R5.1 billion announced in the budget statement for fighting gender-based violence, including thousands of new social workers and more specialised courts.
Presidency minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has welcomed the money the Finance Minister set aside for the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), according to SAnews. The funds were announced in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).
Where the R5.1 billion will go
The largest share, R3.8 billion, is meant to pay for 3 552 new social workers across the provinces. They will work on prevention, early intervention, psychosocial support and programmes that help victims.
The rest of the R5.1 billion package covers several other areas:
- R186 million to build up forensic and investigative capacity.
- An increase in sexual offences courts from 55 to 101.
- An increase in Thuthuzela Care Centres from 72 to 80 by the 2028/29 financial year.
- R157.4 million for Chikunga’s own department, to improve coordination and oversight of GBVF work.
Funding gaps remain
Chikunga spoke on Friday, 13 November 2026, at a meeting with the Commission for Gender Equality. The meeting looked at how the justice, safety and protection pillar of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF is being carried out.
She described the new money as an important step towards closing the funding gaps that have held back the plan. However, she said both the National Strategic Plan and the GBVF Disaster Management Plans remain unfunded mandates. According to her, this seriously limits her department’s ability to coordinate and oversee the work. Dedicated, sustainable funding is still needed, she said, so that the plan produces real services on the ground and protection for survivors.
She said the government’s focus is shifting from drawing up policy to implementing it at scale. This means more attention to measurable results, accountability, and stronger capacity in provincial and local government.
Her priorities include survivor-centred justice services, better coordination across the criminal justice system, improved data and reporting, and more prevention and behaviour-change programmes. She also listed securing sustainable financing for the plan.
Chikunga said the response needs government, civil society, business, organised labour, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and communities to work together. She also stressed the need to involve men and boys in challenging harmful gender norms. In her words, ending GBVF “is not only a government responsibility; it is a national imperative”.
What this means for ordinary South Africans
If the money is spent as planned, communities in all provinces should see more social workers. Survivors should also have access to more sexual offences courts and Thuthuzela Care Centres, although the care centre expansion is only due by 2028/29. The 2026 16 Days of Activism campaign carries the theme “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls Working Together to End Gender-Based Violence and Femicide”.
This story is based on reporting by SAnews.
