GAUTENG HOSTS FIRST-EVER BOYS PARLIAMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE BOY CHILD

By Lawrence Mashabela

•⁠ ⁠Empowering Future Leaders: The Boys’ Parliament provides boys with a platform to be heard, fostering responsibility, leadership, and citizenship.
•⁠ ⁠Tackling Critical Social Issues: Through commissions, boys debated real challenges like gender-based violence, absent fathers, and harmful social norms.
•⁠ ⁠Driving Actionable Change: Recommendations from the Parliament were submitted to the Legislature for consideration at the executive level, showing a commitment to real policy impact.

In celebration of the International Day of the Boy Child, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Social Development, hosted the inaugural Gauteng Boys Parliament on Friday. The session took place at the Civic Theatre in Alberton, Ekurhuleni. It was led by MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko and Speaker of the Legislature Morakane Mosupyoe, with support from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.

The Boys Parliament was created to empower young boys to grow into responsible citizens and future leaders while promoting a society free from violence and social ills. It provided a platform for boys to express their views and be part of key conversations affecting their lives.

In her keynote address, MEC Mazibuko commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to cultivate a new generation of thoughtful and engaged young men. She emphasised the importance of discipline, education, and mutual respect among youth.

“Education is the only weapon that can help you change your life and uplift your family,” said Mazibuko. “We must all stand together to support the boy child, who is equally vulnerable to challenges such as drugs, gangsterism, bullying, and even gender-based violence.”
She urged boys to avoid destructive behaviours and to play an active role in building safer and stronger communities. According to Mazibuko, initiatives like the Boys Parliament can serve as catalysts for lasting social transformation.

The Parliament featured four commissions, each addressing a critical topic affecting boys today:

•⁠ ⁠Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
•⁠ ⁠The Role of Present Fathers in a Boy’s Development
•⁠ ⁠Cultural Influence in Shaping Responsible Boys
•⁠ ⁠Modern-Day Life and Technology: Impact on the Boy Child

During the discussions, participants articulated significant concern regarding the persistent impact of gender-based violence and emphasized the necessity for boys and men to actively engage in efforts to break this cycle.
Seventeen-year-old Simphiwe Jalvani from Phahama Secondary School in Mohlakeng reflected on the experience, calling it “eye-opening and empowering.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity. It was a great experience to engage with my peers on real issues affecting both boys and girls,” he said.
Recommendations from the commissions were formally submitted to the Chair of Chairs in the Gauteng Legislature and will be reviewed for possible adoption into provincial programmes and policy interventions.

As Gauteng breaks new ground with initiatives like the Boys Parliament, it signals a growing commitment to inclusive youth development that centres on listening to boys, empowering their voices, and promoting social change.