Women demand increased funding for gender issues during Budget 2026 speech

A diverse group of women converged outside Parliament while Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana delivered his 2026 Budget speech, wielding pots and pans as symbols of their urgent demands.

As they marched to Parliament, they sang and chanted: "Budget for the women," holding pots and pans as their musical instruments.

Organised under the guidance of the Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement, the demonstration aimed to shine a spotlight on critical needs, including much-needed funding for social support systems directly affecting women's lives.

The group included various organisations such as :Sisterhood Teens Movement, Sisterhood Movement, Gugulethu Backyarders, Community Women in Action  Alcardo Foundation, Lerato Family Foundation, Women from Doringbaai to Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies and others.

Wendy Pekeur, Founder and Coordinator, Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement said the movement is highlighting a range of proposals intended to address gender-based violence, poverty, and economic disenfranchisement faced by women in various communities.

Pekeur said they are calling on financial provisions to pay volunteers at the South African Police Service's Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP). 

"We would like to see an increase in funding to shelters for abused women and children," said Pekeur, as she listed the proposals.

"We would like the Minister to set aside funding to appoint assistants like the programme at schools to assist at SASSA Points to give quality service to the people and to set aside funding for Advice offices to assist with Unemployment Insurance and Compensation for Occupational Diseases Applications, as people have to wait hours in long lines and often get turned away."

More of their proposals included:

• Healthcare Assistance Funding: The women are advocating for budget allocations to improve administration at clinics and hospitals, which would alleviate waiting times and ensure dignified treatment for patients.
• Gender-Based Violence Initiatives: The call for increased funding for both prevention and response initiatives targeting gender-based violence, particularly those focused on community-based organisations who are often the first responders.
• Skills Development Initiatives: With unemployment a critical issue, the women demand funding for initiatives that target skills development for young people facing school drop-out challenges due to various socio-economic reasons.
• Farming and Fishing Sector Support: Acknowledgment of the struggles faced by farm workers and small-scale fishing communities has prompted demands for research and funding to improve their living conditions and rights.
• Access to Land and Business Opportunities: Rural women, especially the youth, are pushing for increased access to land and funding for sustainable business opportunities.
• Tax Relief on Essentials: The group is also advocating for the removal of VAT on essential food items to ease the economic burden on lower-income families.

Provincial Mec for Social Development, Jaco Londt said they prioritised GBV programmes and have been transparent about funding and welcomed the women's call.

"Gender-Based Violence remains one of the greatest threats to peace and stability in our communities," he said.

"Last year the President classified it as a national disaster, but we do not need more words, we need action. We need National Treasury to assign the necessary funds to enable provinces to effectively address the scourge, but more importantly the Western Cape needs its fair share of the budget.

"The Western Cape Department of Social Development has proven time and time again we know how to spend our funding responsibly, with transparency, and with accountability, for the benefit of the residents who are dependent on our services. And we are ready to do more.

"We welcome the call by community activists for the Finance Minister to increase funding for GBV interventions and services."

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