The Third Southern Africa GBV Prevention Forum, held in Johannesburg from 19 to 21 August 2025, brought together diverse stakeholders from across the region to reflect, share and co-create strategies for preventing and responding to gender based violence (GBV). The Forum convened government representatives, civil society organisations (CSOs), police services, legal practitioners, youth leaders, survivors, faith and traditional leaders, private-sector actors and international partners under the theme, Building Bridges: Strengthening Collaborative Efforts for GBV Prevention and Response in Southern Africa. The Forum revealed both progress and persistent challenges in addressing GBV. Discussions highlighted systemic drivers such as patriarchy, harmful cultural norms, economic dependency, digital exclusion and weak implementation of existing policies. Participants underscored the need to shift from crisis response to prevention, to strengthen survivor-centred justice and to expand inclusive approaches that recognise the intersecting vulnerabilities of women, youth, LGBTQIA+ persons, people with disabilities and rural communities.
Five thematic pillars guided deliberations: access to justice, education systems, overcoming funding gaps, technology and digital tools, and men as partners in prevention. Central to all these was the call for structural transformation, collective accountability and long-term investment in community-driven solutions. As one participant reflected: ‘Behind every statistic is a shattered life; [hence] prevention should be on all our agendas.’
Good practices showcased during the Forum – from mobile courts and community paralegals to youth led advocacy, survivor networks, faith-based partnerships and innovative digital tools – illustrated what is possible when responses are inclusive, well resourced and locally owned. Participants agreed that stronger regional collaboration, flexible funding models and political will are essential to scale such innovations and close persistent gaps.
This report consolidates the key challenges, promising practices, and strategic recommendations from the Forum. It serves
as both a record of collective insight and a roadmap for governments, civil society, donors, and communities to strengthen
prevention and response to GBV in Southern Africa.
