President Cyril Ramaphosa appoints South Africa’s National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), according to IOL. The council is intended to strengthen leadership and improve accountability in efforts to tackle the ongoing gender-based violence crisis. The appointment follows the government’s stated focus on responding to GBVF and the related problem of femicide, which activists and monitoring groups have said remains widespread. By creating or activating a dedicated national council, the Presidency signals a move toward a more coordinated approach, with a formal structure designed to oversee policy implementation and related actions. The announcement frames the council as a significant step in the broader strategy to address GBVF, aiming to ensure that responsibilities across government and relevant stakeholders translate into measurable outcomes. The report does not provide additional details on council membership, timelines, or specific mandates, but it presents the appointment as part of an escalation of efforts to confront the crisis.