Last Wednesday, the Gauteng Department of Social Development Tshwane Region hosted the commemoration of World Aids Day to inspire positive change in men through a dialogue, at the Suurman Community Hall in Hammanskraal, Tshwane Region.
This year's program was aimed at inspiring social change in men and boys to be campions of change and strengthen the role of men in different communities.
The Men Championing Change Program is a social and behaviour change initiative by the Department of Social Development targeting men and boys with the goal to address the social and structural drivers of HIV, TB and sexually transmitted infections. 
Key focus areas include engaging men and boys through advocacy and social mobilization campaigns to prevent and confront the scourge of rape culture and gender-based violence.
The program aims to reaffirm and strengthen the role men can play as positive role models in their families and communities.
Annah Marokane from the Department of Social Development giving the purpose of the day said, "Through dialogue we hope to change the mindset of both men and boys by getting into their world so that they can change for the better".
Thomas Khumalo from Akasia and Soshanguve anti-Gender based Violence Movement said, "Gender based violence more often begins with neighbours avoiding to confront a family matter until it has generated to a societal challenge".
He said, "Let's confront the problem at an early stage so that men should understand their positive roles of building their families rather than to destroy them through violence".
Members of the community also engaged on a dialogue on HIV and gender-based violence before they lit candles in remembering those who lost their lives to HIV and Aids.