His remarks come as pressure mounts on the government to declare Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide a national disaster.

The President's comments coincide with ongoing demonstrations demanding that law enforcement prioritise cases of violence against women and children.

Women leaders from across the globe are also gathering in Cape Town for the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges, where GBV and femicide are key topics of discussion.

Ramaphosa expressed his dismay at the abuse of power by men in senior positions, stating, "When I see my male counterparts using extortion against women and particularly young women in the workplace and expecting them to give them favours so that they can rise up the ladder. This is something that needs to be talked about, light needs to be shared on this. There's nothing as demeaning as a man who is in a senior position requiring and demanding sex from a younger subordinate so that they may rise, so that they may get better pay."

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--