Urgent call to action at Men and Boys Parliament to combat gender-based violence
The 5th National Men and Boys Parliament was held at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.
Image: Department of Social Development
A call to action was proposed to prevent Gender-Based Violence at the 5th National Men and Boys Parliament at the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on Thursday.
The Parliament is coordinated by the Men’s Sector of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Civil Society Forum, working in partnership with stakeholders that champion programmes for men and boys.
The Parliament was held under the theme, Raising Accountable Boys, Building Responsible Men, bringing together men and boys from all nine provinces to deliberate on social challenges such as gender-based violence, toxic masculinity, HIV prevention, and the socialisation of the boy child.
Professor Mbulelo Dyasi, SANAC Men’s sector national convenor, stated that, so far, the Western Cape and Mpumalanga are the only provinces that can implement resolutions.
“We cannot just talk. At this level, you are expected to create operational plans out of these sessions,” he urged guests.
Tebogo Lerole, chairman of Mzansi Act Now, said that one cannot build responsible boys on speeches alone. He encourages roleplayers to take policies and put them into practice and move from intention to impact.
“They must be invested in training and mentoring at school, communities and at the family level. Boys need spaces to learn values and emotional intelligence. Prevention of gender-based violence should begin long before violence occurs. The rate of femicide continues to rise annually. There are many good men in the country who want to see the end of violence against women,” he said.
The Department of Social Development is participating in the 5th National Men and Boys Parliament, a two-day session taking place at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature aimed at raising accountable boys and building responsible men.
Image: Department of Social Development
Thabang Mhlanga, a representative National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), said that young people living with HIV are lost in the system. He suggested safe spaces be created to protect them from stigma and offer them support.
Oziel Mdletshe, University Programme Coordinator for Higher Health SA, stated that they continue to work with student leadership and structures on their campuses. He called for an investment in resources so that programmes reach those that need them most.
Roleplayers presented progress reports on the implementation of boys championing change programme in KZN, including the Harry Gwala District and Mkhanyakude District Action for “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” Campaign.
Mogamad Ganief Hendricks, the deputy minister of Social Development, stated that in his four years on the opposition benches, the government spent R2 billion a year to tackle GBV, which was “money down the drain”.
He believed that the money should be invested in future and that is empowering boys and preparing them for the future role they will play. He called for a change of circumstances where South African men will be regarded as the best in the world.
“Men should call out men who perpetuate violence against women and speak out. Boys are harming old people. That is not ubuntu. Boys today are the men tomorrow. I hope for a joint sitting between men and boys. Why not have a triple sitting where girls are also present,” he said.
The session will continue on Friday.