What is Femicide?

It is the killing of a female, or perceived female person on the basis of gender identity, whether committed within the domestic relationship, interpersonal relationship or by any other person, or whether perpetrated or tolerated by the State or its agents, and private sources.

(this was agreed by the committee members on the 04 October 2017)

Are you at risk?

Has your abuser ever threatened to kill /harm you or your family?
Has your abuser ever been charged with the violation of a protection order?
Is the violence or controlling behaviour becoming worse?
Has your abuser ever raped you, attempted to rape or forced you to do any sexual act without your permission?
Do you think your abuser has a problem with substance abuse such as alcohol or drugs or prescription drugs that lead him/her to become violence?

Follow this link for the full risk assessment tool (Eng) (or get your translated copy here) or you can visit the Gender Based Violence Command Centre.

This Risk Assessment Tool is primarily for use by victims of intimate partner violence. It is intended to assist them to assess the potential risk/harm they face by remaining in contact with their abusers.

Femicide Watch

On 25 November 2015, in the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences's report to the General Assembly (A/71/398), she considered the data collection and analysis on femicide as a global challenge, and requested all state parties to establish a Femicide Watch. In 2018, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development heeded to the UN call and commenced with the establishment of the very first Femicide Watch in the African continent.

Report Abuse

Articles & Documents

News articles and information pieces on Femicide and related cases, as well as other subject related documents.

My Satety Plan

A safety plan helps you to identify action steps that you must take in order to increase your safety.

Our Champions

Ms Franchesca Fondse is the founder of (WIIN) Women Integral Impact Network and the women’s champion for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The DOJ&CD recognises the courage of Ms Fondse for openly stating that she is a survivor of domestic violence and she displayed great confidence and determination to conquer the ordeal. She has taken it upon herself to advocate for non-violence against women in various communities nationally. She is the Founder of Women Integral Impact Network that focuses on empowering women with Knowledge and support to prevent and overcome the effects of Domestic Violence and to empower themselves.

Champion || Ms Franchesca Fondse

Mr Patrick Shai a well reknowned actor within South Africa and abroad is the founder of an Organisation Khuluma Ndoda and the Men’s champion for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development . Mr Shai is a self-confesses and now reformed perpetrator of domestic violence. Through publicly speaking when no mean wanted to accept and acknowledge that violence against women is wrong , Patrick took a bold step which earned him scorn and praise from both men and women. His slogan is “change begins with me”. He urges all men to look within themselves to find ways to actively take part in advocating and taking action to eradicate patriarchal culture that breeds domestic violence and femicide.

Champion || Mr Patrick Shai

Contact us

Contact the Chief Directorate: Promotion of the rights of Vulnerable Groups for more information.

contact info

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Promotion of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups
Mr Mulalo Netshisaulu
Tel: 012 315 1512
MNetshisaulu@justice.gov.za