Johannesburg, South Africa – 31 March 2025. In commemoration of International Women’s Month, corporate leaders took a stand against gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality at the CEO Connect Forum, co-hosted by KPMG and Shared Value Africa (SVA) at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

As gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality continue to undermine economic progress and social cohesion, leading corporations came together to act. This high-impact gathering, themed “Accelerate Action: Urgency and Unity for Gender Equality,” mobilised top corporate leaders to confront GBV and promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond.

According to the previous Costly Impact of GBV report, South Africa’s GBV crisis remains a staggering challenge. The country’s femicide rate is five times the global average. Beyond the human toll, GBV has significant economic implications, costing the country in excess of 36 billion annually due to absenteeism, lost productivity, and healthcare expenses.

Despite increased awareness, a previous KPMG pilot study (2023) highlighted critical gaps in corporate response—revealing that 78% of South African companies lack GBV awareness training, while 94% do not have adequate workplace policies to address the issue.

The CEO Connect Forum aims to drive meaningful change by mobilizing corporate leaders to take decisive action in tackling GBV within the workplace and beyond.

“Businesses cannot afford to be bystanders in the fight against gender-based violence and inequality. This is not just a social issue—it’s a business imperative. Leaders must move beyond statements of intent and take bold, measurable action,” said Ignatius Sehoole, Senior Partner and CEO of KPMG in Africa.