Women For Change Turns South Africa Purple in a Historic GBV Shutdown
- BY HANNAH GOVENDER
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
On Friday, 21 November 2025, South Africa will witness a historic act of resistance as thousands of women and LGBTQ+ allies withdraw their labour, voices, and economic participation in a nationwide shutdown. Spearheaded by Women For Change, this protest coincides with the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg and demands urgent recognition of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster.
This isn’t just another movement. It’s a carefully orchestrated act of solidarity that turns the streets and social media purple, a visual declaration of resilience, grief, and determination. From boardrooms to classrooms, instagram to streets, participants are sending a clear message: the status quo is no longer acceptable. The movement underscores the scale of the crisis: femicide and GBV remain pervasive, affecting communities across economic, racial, and social divides.
South Africa has long grappled with alarming rates of gender-based violence: a woman is killed every 2.5 hours, with 117 women reporting rape cases a day. According to SAPS Crime Statistics from April 2023 to March 2024:
5,578 women and 1,656 children were killed, with femicide rising by a shocking 33.8% compared to the previous year.
42,569 rape cases were reported, yet it is estimated that 95% of rape cases go unreported.
Despite years of advocacy, survivors and activists say the crisis remains shrouded in silence. Sabrina Walter, founder of Women For Change, describes the moment as “a fight shadowed by silence and death,” marking nearly a decade of relentless activism.
The shutdown is not just symbolic, it’s strategic. Women are urged to refrain from all paid and unpaid work, including domestic labour, caregiving, and academic responsibilities. Participants are also encouraged to halt spending for the day, underscoring the economic weight of women’s contributions.
Women For Change emphasizes that this is not merely a symbolic gesture. The movement is calling on policymakers to officially declare GBVF a national disaster, ensuring dedicated resources, urgent intervention, and systemic reform. By mobilizing the nation in purple, the protest transforms grief into power, frustration into action.
Founded in 2016, Women For Change has become one of South Africa’s most powerful digital advocacy movements, with over 520,000 followers and 40 million monthly impressions. Their campaigns have consistently spotlighted GBVF through social media activism, survivor support, and public demonstrations.
In solidarity, public spaces like the Mall of Africa and cultural figures such as Zakes Bantwini and Tyla have adopted purple lighting and profile images. The colour has become a digital rallying cry, flooding social media with messages of support and calls to action.
This visual campaign intensifies the shutdown’s core message: without women, the nation halts. It’s a bold reminder to G20 leaders that economic growth and global development are hollow without addressing systemic violence.
While the G20 Summit focuses on macroeconomic policy and global cooperation, Women For Change insists that GBVF is inseparable from these conversations. “Enough Said,” reads their official statement; a call for action, not platitudes.
The shutdown also reflects a broader shift in South African activism, echoing global movements like #MeToo while remaining rooted in local realities. It’s a moment of reckoning, demanding that both national and international leaders confront the human cost of inaction.
