CABINET APPROVES THREE GBV BILLS

To celebrate Women’s Month this August, Cabinet has approved three Gender Based Violence (GBV) Bills.

This was announced by Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola, on Thursday during a virtual Cabinet briefing. This means that the draft Bills are on their way to Parliament where they will be discussed and, if approved, will become Acts in their own rights.

During his national address in June, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged lawmakers to prioritise these three Bills in an effort to combat GBV in South Africa.

The three Bills on this topic are:

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill

National Register for Sexual Offences

Domestic Violence Amendment Bill

If the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill is passed, it means that victims of domestic violence will be able to obtain protection orders against their abusers electronically.

For perpetrators accused of GBV, parole conditions will become stricter and minimum sentencing will be increased.

These changes are welcomed as South Africa has seen a drastic increase in GBV cases over the years.

Image credits: The South African and Global Citizen