BASIC EDUCATION PARTNERS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE BOY CHILD

• International Day of the Boy Child, on 16 May, focuses on the well-being of boys as well as the challenges they face daily.
• The day will be commemorated in the City of Tshwane by the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, along with representatives from the departments of social development and of women, youth and persons with disabilities.
• The day also creates awareness of the vulnerability of young boys and men and considers their role in ending South Africa’s pandemic of gender-based violence.

International Day of the Boy Child will be observed at the Thaba Tshwane City Hall in Centurion, City of Tshwane, on Friday, 16 May 2025, focusing on their need to be valued within the family and the community.

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube will be joined by the deputy minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, along with key partners of the Department of Basic Education, including the deputy minister of women, youth and persons with disabilities, Steve Letsike, the deputy minister of social development, Ganief Hendricks, and the Gauteng MEC for education, sports, arts and culture, Matome Chiloane.

The International Day of the Boy Child 2025 commemoration will see three generations of men come together, with some of South Africa’s legends, influential male role models, media personalities, artists, and sports personalities joining in to explore the importance of stable male role models in society.

The day seeks to address the specific challenges boys face, while harnessing the collective strength of various partnerships.

International Day of the Boy Child 2025 takes place every 16 May and happens during South Africa’s Child Protection Month.

The day will see a collaboration between the Department of Basic Education, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), the Development Bank of Southern Africa, German development agency GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), SABC Education, the Baithudi Mampane Foundation, the YouthStart Foundation, and PRIMESTARS.

The voice of the boy child was brought to the fore by a 2023 presidential engagement which included the film What about the Boys, which shone the spotlight not only on the role of men and young boys in ending the nation’s pandemic of gender-based violence, but also on the need to address the vulnerability of young men and boys.

The Department of Basic Education and its partners intend to leverage the International Day of the Boy Child to address the systemic educational, psychological, and social challenges facing boys in South Africa.