DRIVING CHANGE: FIFTH NATIONAL MEN AND BOYS PARLIAMENT TACKLES GBV AND HIV

By Pricilla Seamelando

• The fifth National Men and Boys Parliament held in Pietermaritzburg this week focused on promoting positive masculinity, addressing toxic attitudes and behaviours, and galvanised men to take action against gender-based violence and HIV.
• The Department of Social Development highlighted key initiatives, including the Men Championing Change and Boys Championing Change programmes, to the members.
• The department also called on civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to adopt these programmes.

The fifth National Men and Boys Parliament, held in Pietermaritzburg, brought together men and boys from across KwaZulu-Natal to discuss critical issues affecting their communities.

The two-day event on 5 – 6 February 2026 aimed to promote positive masculinity, address toxic norms, and galvanise men to take action against gender-based violence and HIV.

Against the backdrop of South Africa’s high HIV prevalence and alarming GBV rates, the parliament sought to harness the collective energy of men to drive meaningful change.

In this context, the Department of Social Development highlighted its key initiatives, including the Men Championing Change and Boys Championing Change programmes.

Dr Luzile Nziyane, Director of HIV Prevention at the Department of Social Development, emphasised the importance of engaging men in addressing social issues.

“At the department, we couldn’t sit and fold our arms because the effects of the HIV epidemic were felt very strongly by us with the increased number of orphaned children in the country,” she said.

The Men Championing Change programme targets men, while Boys Championing Change focuses on young boys. Both use activities and dialogues to foster positive change. “We see men as partners in the fight against gender-based violence and HIV,” Dr Nziyane said.

The Department of Social Development calls on civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to adopt these evidence-based programmes.

“The programmes are making an impact in communities, and we need to go to scale,” Dr Nziyane urged.

The Department of Social Development’s Men Championing Change and Boys Championing Change programmes are available for communities to adopt and implement.

For more information on how to get involved or access these resources, contact your local Department of Social Development office or visit their website. Let’s work together to create a safer, more equitable society for all.