South Africa declares gender-based violence a national disaster

South Africa has classified gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster. The declaration, made on Friday, came ahead of the G20 summit as protests were held across South Africa. Demonstrators staged 15-minute lie-downs to symbolize the 15 lives lost daily to gender-based violence in the country, which has been called the “rape capital of the world.” The new classification directs authorities to dedicate resources to tackle the issue. If the measures are deemed insufficient, the government can heighten the classification to a national state of disaster.