A women's rights group, Ilitha Labantu, has partnered with UN Women and received support from various organizations and the Irish government to train the South African Police Service (SAPS) on responding to gender-based violence.

The training includes topics such as gender sensitivity, legal remedies, and basic counseling, aiming to improve the experience of survivors and improve police response.

The program has been implemented across 75 police stations in the Western Cape Province, resulting in a significant reduction in complaints about local police stations and an increase in referrals from the police.

Ilitha Labantu aims to expand the program nationwide and integrate it into the curriculum of police academies.

Participants in the program have gained knowledge and tools to better handle gender-based violence cases, and have built a support network within the police force.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the relationship between SAPS and communities by sensitizing them to issues related to ending violence against women and girls.