Petition to declare gender-based violence in SA a state of emergency nears 500k signatures

South Africa wants its collective voice to be heard, and the proof is in the trending hashtags, planned protests and petitions that have come to light since news broke of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana’s gruesome rape and murder.

One petition, which was launched on Change.org by Laura-Lee Gillion earlier this week, is calling for the South African government to declare gender-based violence a state of emergency.

“Signing this petition will help our government realise the severity of the situation or that we are no longer tolerating this,” the petition’s manifesto reads.

On Monday, details of Mrwetyana’s death acted as a catalyst for South African citizens, who are now determined for the government to do something to put an end to violence against women.

Over 415 000 people have added their signatures to the plea, with one South African adding, “I am living in fear and nothing is being done about it”.

The petition joins another plea for the South African parliament to bring back the death penalty for crimes against women. Since its launch on Monday, the petition has gained over 525 000 signatures and counting.

Protests are expected all over the country in the coming days.

Feature image: Shereesa Moodley/Memeburn