South Africa’s shelter sector is bringing frontline organisations together this September to strengthen survivor support, funding and implementation of the country’s response to gender-based violence.
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) will host its Sixth National Shelter Indaba from 15 to 17 September 2026, creating a national platform for shelters, policymakers, funders, researchers and communities to examine what survivors need to rebuild their lives.
The gathering comes nearly a year after gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) was classified as a national disaster, placing renewed attention on whether frontline services have the resources to respond effectively.
NSMSA supports around 100 shelters across South Africa, but says approximately 90% are struggling with funding and other forms of support.
These shelters provide more than emergency accommodation. Survivors may require counselling, mental-health services, legal assistance, protection orders, support for children, skills development and help towards becoming financially independent.
“When we talk about GBVF as a national disaster, we must understand what that means in the life of a woman trying to escape violence,” NSMSA said.
“Survivors need more than a safe place for one night – they need a realistic pathway beyond survival.”
The organisation estimates that it costs a shelter approximately R300 per person per day to provide living expenses and support services. This includes food, toiletries, water and electricity, facilities and maintenance, counselling and skills development programmes.
The three-day Indaba will examine how South Africa can strengthen this support while assessing progress on commitments made since the inaugural gathering in 2020.
Discussions will cover shelter funding, protection orders, the Victims Charter, mental-health support for shelter workers, specialised support for boys affected by sexual violence, financial empowerment for survivors and the role of the National Council on GBVF.
The programme will also examine conditions that can help survivors move beyond immediate safety towards sustainable social and economic independence.
A significant development ahead of this year’s gathering is the appointment of Dr Zubeda Dangor, Head of the Executive at NSMSA, to the National Council on GBVF.
The NSMSA Board believes her appointment can help connect the experience of frontline shelters with national decision-making.
“For the shelter movement, we believe that Dr Dangor is one of the best people to ensure that national commitments translate into practical improvements on the ground,” the Board said.
The Indaba will also consider the relationship between the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, provincial implementation and the resources required by organisations delivering services directly to survivors.
Since launching the Indaba in 2020, NSMSA has used the platform to strengthen shelter practices, advocacy, public education and collaboration between organisations working across the sector.
That collaboration is also expanding beyond South Africa. The first Africa GBV Shelter Indaba is scheduled to take place in Kenya in November, while South Africa is bidding to host the 6th World Conference of Women’s Shelters in 2028.
NSMSA is encouraging the public and organisations working across the GBVF ecosystem to participate in the September Indaba through its online livestream.
For people requiring immediate assistance, the National GBV Shelter Helpline is available toll-free, 24 hours a day, on 0800 001 005. SMS, WhatsApp and Please Call Me support is also available on 082 057 8600, 082 058 2215 and 072 230 7147.
