South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged men to take greater responsibility in combating gender-based violence, announcing new government measures to address a recent surge in murders of women. The president's call comes amid widespread grief and anger following the discovery of 11 women's bodies dumped in Ekurhuleni, a municipality adjacent to Johannesburg, since July 15.

Ramaphosa acknowledged on Tuesday night, in a televised address, that the government has not done enough to protect women. The disturbing discoveries, with eight bodies found in the last three weeks alone, have ignited public outrage and intensified demands for action against femicide and gender-based violence, which is a significant problem in South Africa.

In response to the crisis, police will review all unsolved murders, attempted murders, and serious sexual offences involving women and children. Furthermore, a funded plan to reduce the backlog in forensic processing for such cases is to be produced within 60 days. Local governments have been given five months to identify and address environmental factors that compromise women's safety, such as broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces, and abandoned buildings.

The president also tasked five ministers with developing a strategy within 60 days to curb alcohol-fueled violence. While emphasizing that alcohol does not cause gender-based violence and cannot excuse it, Ramaphosa noted that harmful alcohol use is a significant aggravating factor that must be addressed as part of prevention efforts. He stated that women should not live in fear due to government inaction on basic safety issues.

The series of killings has deeply affected South Africa, with particular attention drawn to the case of Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, one of the victims found in recent weeks. The discovery of multiple bodies in such a short period has led to protests and calls for more decisive action from law enforcement and the government.

Critics have pointed to the slow pace of investigations and the perceived lack of urgency in addressing the systemic issues contributing to gender-based violence. The announcement of new measures aims to reassure the public and demonstrate a renewed commitment to tackling the problem, although the effectiveness of these plans will depend on their swift and thorough implementation.

Experts have long highlighted the complex interplay of factors contributing to gender-based violence in South Africa, including patriarchal attitudes, socioeconomic challenges, and inadequate enforcement of laws. Ramaphosa's address seeks to shift some of the focus onto men's role in perpetuating or preventing this violence, encouraging them to become active participants in creating a safer society for women.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the government's announced measures translate into tangible improvements in women's safety. The public will be watching closely to see if the backlog in forensic cases is cleared and if local authorities effectively address the environmental hazards identified as compromising women's security.