At Roots to Rise, a focused breakaway session looked at how local and provincial government structures could meaningfully integrate the End GBVF Dashboard into their existing systems. A message that landed with distinctive clarity was that, for the Dashboard to have impact, it must be embedded within the everyday operations of government, not treated as a separate or optional tool.

One of the strongest suggestions was to integrate the Dashboard into the internal systems already used by municipalities and provinces. This would make the collection and sharing of data more efficient, allowing the information required by the Dashboard to be pulled directly from routine reporting. Participants noted that systems may differ from one municipality to another, so further engagement will be needed with technical teams to understand how best to tailor this approach.

Communication was flagged as another key entry point. Featuring the Dashboard in internal newsletters at both local and provincial levels was proposed, as this would increase visibility and promote consistent use across departments. However, for this to work, the Dashboard’s content needs to be relevant and newsworthy to each municipality, with localised insights and developments.

Participants also spoke about the importance of positioning the Dashboard as a tool that can help profile each municipality’s progress in addressing GBVF. It was recommended that updates and insights be presented regularly at forums such as Portfolio Committees, Executive Committees (EXCO), and Management Committees (MANCO). Many felt that decision-makers, including politicians and senior managers, are more likely to take action when presented with data that shows the current status and provides a clear path for improvement.

There was also interest in using the Dashboard to highlight areas of progress, not just gaps. By capturing interventions that are working well — from prevention programmes to survivor support — the tool could encourage peer learning and replication across municipalities. Several attendees felt this kind of data storytelling could help motivate internal departments and bolster morale.

The take-away was simple: for government to lead effectively in the response to GBVF, the tools that support this work must be fully integrated into governance processes. The End GBVF Dashboard has the potential to drive accountability and action — but only if it becomes part of how government functions every day.