Health workers should support G20 Women’s Shutdown without compromising care, says Sama

The South African Medical Association (Sama) has endorsed the Women for Change’s national shutdown on November 21 against gender-based violence (GBV), with its women’s wing standing in solidarity while urging health professionals to participate without compromising patient care. The G20 Women’s Shutdown calls for abstaining from paid and unpaid work, university attendance, and spending to demonstrate GBV’s economic and social impact, framing the crisis as a national emergency needing urgent interventions across justice, policing, health, and social sectors. Sama encourages symbolic acts like wearing purple and observing silence to amplify survivor voices. The association pledges collaboration with government and civil society to drive lasting reforms that save lives.