South Africa has declared gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster, coinciding with mass protests across the country. Thousands observed 15 minutes of silence, representing the alarming statistic that 15 women are murdered daily in South Africa. Protesters highlighted the nation’s gender-based violence epidemic, which is over five times the global average, demanding urgent action beyond policy promises. Many expressed frustration over insufficient law enforcement, ineffective implementation of legislation, and the continued rise in violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration, made on the eve of the protests, acknowledged the crisis and called for extraordinary measures to end the violence. Activists, including the NGO Women for Change, remain skeptical but see the declaration as a step towards accountability. South Africa recorded over 5,500 femicides and more than 100 reported rapes daily in the past year, with experts warning of significant underreporting. The nationwide protests were a poignant expression of grief, resilience, and a plea for justice. Al Jazeera’s Michael Appel reports from Johannesburg. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricaWomenKillings #EndGBVNow #EndFemicideNow #SouthAfricaGenderBasedViolence #ProtectWomenInSouthAfrica #JusticeForSouthAfricaWomen #EnoughSaid #WomenSafetyInSouthAfrica