Last week Friday, Gauteng Department of Social Development in partnership with local Non-Governmental Organizations, hosted an International Men’s Day event, at Lerato Agape Community Services in Meyerton.
The aim of the event was to bring together men and boys who are aspiring to make a difference in their communities through leading by example.

The International Men’s Day is celebrated annually on the 19th of November to bring to the fore men and boys’ health issues. The day is also aimed at improving gender relations, promotes gender equality, and highlights positive male role models in society.

According to the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Sedibeng Region, Social Work Manager, Mamojapele Malimabe, building a cohesive and improved society starts with boys.

Malimabe said the International Men’s Day was meant to celebrate and appreciate the positive value men bring to our society and the world at large, the men’s positive contribution to society, communities, and their families. On this day we celebrate leaders who inspire us and raise awareness of men’s well-being.

She highlighted that one of the six pillars of the International Men’s Day is to improve gender relations and promote gender equality not only for men but for women too.

She further encouraged men to teach young men and boys the values, characteristics and responsibilities of being good role models. She also reiterated the need to empower boys and men to speak out and stand up against violence, respect women and children and be non-violent.

During the engagement, it was highlighted that many men are suffering in silence. It was reiterated that figures are somewhat inaccurate, because men are far less likely to report cases of violence and abuse against them at the hands of women because they feel like law enforcement does not take them seriously. Men have made it clear that women too are perpetrators and abusers in cases of domestic violence.

“Men who are victims of domestic violence are laughed at, seen as weak and not taken seriously. Quite often because of shame, they do not even report their experiences.” said one resident Ben Morake who was part of the dialogue.

Social worker Bethuel Mokoena said it is essential for the department to continuously create platforms like dialogues to empower men to stand up against gender-based violence in society. Moreover, he said the forum sought to empower men to deliberately strive to take control of their response even when they are provoked to anger.

He said the department provide such opportunities to enable men to express themselves and, in turn would help men to better understand how to deal with situations affecting them.