The need to shift from reactive responses to preventative action in addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) featured prominently at the GBVF Conference (Gender-Based Violence & Femicide), held in Johannesburg on 5 August 2026, where Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) Programme Manager: Special Initiatives and Partnerships,Vuyokazi Futshane, joined national leaders to discuss how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen South Africa’s response to GBVF.
Participating in her capacity as a South African social justice activist and researcher, Futshane served as a panellist in the session “Private Sector Collaboration: From Individual Projects to National Impact,” which explored how companies, government, civil society, philanthropy and academia can better align their efforts to move beyond fragmented initiatives and build coordinated, long-term interventions. The conference itself reinforced the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and long-term prevention strategies to address GBVF sustainably.
Drawing on her research into technology-facilitated gender-based violence, Futshane argued that institutions should embed prevention into the design of systems, policies and technologies, rather than responding only after harm has occurred.
“Fragmented interventions tend to treat GBVF as something to respond to after the fact, a policy, a helpline, a campaign. What’s missing is looking at root causes at the point of design, not just impact. My research looks at technology-facilitated GBV, and what I have found so far is how rarely anyone asks, before a product or platform launches, whether it could enable new forms of harm.”
She compared this approach to environmental regulation, where preventative assessments are standard practice.
“We do this routinely in other sectors. For example, an environmental impact assessment is required before a mine opens, precisely because we’ve learned that fixing damage after the fact is far more costly than preventing it. We need the same thinking when designing technologies, policies and systems that affect people’s lives.”
Futshane’s contribution called for pre-emptive interventions rather than reactionary responses, highlighting the importance of assessing potential risks before products, platforms and policies are introduced.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of investing in programmes that engage boys and young men early to challenge harmful gender norms, toxic masculinity and patriarchal attitudes before they become entrenched. Panellists agreed that meaningful progress requires sustained partnerships across sectors rather than isolated projects.
Among the contributors was Dr Elemrie Pereira from Memeza, who shared how the organisation’s digital reporting platform works with multiple stakeholders across sectors to strengthen responses to GBVF, reinforcing the importance of collaborative action.
The conference brought together business leaders, researchers, policymakers, philanthropy practitioners and civil society organisations to explore practical solutions for addressing one of South Africa’s most pressing social challenges. Throughout the discussions, speakers emphasised that preventing GBVF requires long-term investment, coordinated partnerships and systemic approaches that address the structural drivers of violence rather than its symptoms alone.
At CAPSI, Futshane’s participation reflects the Centre’s commitment to advancing evidence-informed dialogue, strategic partnerships and research that contributes to more just, inclusive and sustainable societies across Africa.
