By Amy Musgrave
President Paul Mashatile has warned against a splintered national men’s movement, saying it has a detrimental impact on the fight against many scourges in the country, including gender-based violence.
“It is essential to keep the National Men’s Forum of South Africa and the SANAC (South African National Aids Council) Men’s Sector united in order for us to implement our programmes successfully. We cannot afford to have a fragmented national men’s movement,” Mashatile said on Saturday.
He was addressing the National Men’s Parliament in Cape Town, which has been working on a programme for a year to tackle violence against women and children.
Despite efforts, including marches to raise awareness, by a number of men’s groups in South Africa, GBV and femicide levels still remain shockingly high.
In July this year, Mashatile and a group of others were appointed patrons of the men’s movement.
He told delegates that cases of GBV and femicide were reported daily, including instances of young girls aged between 15-24 years, who have tested HIV positive, while young boys of the same age were HIV negative.
“This raises a question: who infects these young girls? As we gather as men today, let us also reflect on this issue and determine to deal with it decisively,” Mashatile said.
He said their recent initiative to unify all men’s formations during the national men’s lekgotla was commendable.
“With this work, society will take us seriously if we continue to work cohesively and not in silos. The memorandum of understanding signed by the SANAC Men’s Sector and National Men’s Forum South Africa must be translated into actionable frameworks at provincial and district levels to streamline men’s responses.” The deputy president said.
The government understood their need for resources, but for this to happen, compliance was necessary.
“Compatriots and fellow delegates and developmental partners will readily engage with your member organisations, especially if compliance and accountability are prioritised.
“The Deputy Minister of Social Development has expressed frustration over non-compliance among some groups. The Department of Social Development has previously supported your work through SANAC to ensure it is well-coordinated.
“To receive continued support, the Men’s Sector organisations must ensure that all their records are up to date and that they comply with the requirements set by partners,” he said.
Mashatile reiterated that they needed to join forces to bolster campaigns and networks aimed at combating violence against children.
Saturday saw the launch of the “BETTER MAN 4 TOMORROW” campaign, which will bring men “back to care” in partnership with the Minister of Health, SANAC, civil society and men’s formations at all levels.
INSIDE POLITICS
