What would Chris Brown’s performance in South Africa mean for the survivors of gender-based violence?

Chris Brown’s concert dates are set for 14 and 15 December at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.

A non-profit organisation advocating against gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, Women For Change, has launched a petition to cancel Brown’s performances because it believes it would be an insult to South Africa’s fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) due to Brown’s past.

The performer has been convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend and fellow musician Rihanna along with other allegations of abuse by women.

Brown’s performance is scheduled a few days after the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Women For Change says allowing him to perform contradicts the purpose of these 16 days in a country like ours.

The petition has received global attention and has been covered in over 100 articles, including international media houses such as BBC and Billboard.

Women For Change’s petition to stop Chris Brown’s visa from being granted has been signed by more than 51,000 people since it became public on 1 October.

Chris Brown responded with a story saying, “South Africa, I’m coming…”

Women For Change and GBVF activists found the singer’s response lacking accountability and acknowledgement of the significance and detrimental consequences GBVF carries.

The organisation provided an update on its website and social media platforms stating how many people have signed their petition to stop Chris Brown from performing in South Africa and what allowing his performance might mean for the country and survivors of GBVF.

“On 25 November 2024, marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we formally submitted our petition – signed by 51,330 supporters to Big Concerts, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture.”

This submission represents a powerful collective call to action, amplifying the voices of thousands demanding accountability and justice in South Africa’s fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

“It’s time to prioritise survivors and send an undeniable message that violence and those who perpetuate it have no place in our country. If this concert goes ahead, it will speak volumes about where our leaders truly stand in addressing the GBVF pandemic,” the organisation said.

The petition submission also comes after a report by ‘UN Women’ found 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally by men in 2023, with 60% (51,100) of these deaths committed by someone close to the victim. The organisation said its figures showed that, globally, the most dangerous place for a woman to be was in her home, where the majority of women die at the hands of men.⁠

Read Women For Change’s full petition submission here.