SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT LEADS MEN’S DIALOGUE TO ADDRESS THE SCOURGE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN LIMPOPO  

• The Department of Social Development is hosting Men’s Dialogues nationwide to address toxic masculinity, gender inequality, and harmful stereotypes, fostering behaviour change to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
• These initiatives support the National Strategic Plans on GBVF and HIV, TB, and STIs by tackling social and structural drivers of violence and health crises linked to patriarchal norms and inequality.
• The first dialogue in Limpopo will unite 150 men from across the province to explore solutions for reducing violence against women and the spread of HIV, while celebrating positive male contributions to society.

The Department of Social Development will spearhead a series of Men’s Dialogues across the country as part of the buildup to the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign. These dialogues aim to create a non-judgemental space for men to share their personal experiences and reflect on critical issues such as toxic masculinity, traditional norms that perpetuate gender inequality, the culture of silence among men, and harmful gender stereotypes. The goal is to influence men’s attitudes and behaviours towards gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.

Recent findings from South Africa’s first-ever study on gender-based violence, released this week by the Human Sciences Research Council, are deeply concerning. The report revealed that 9.9% of men believe women are to blame when they are raped for putting themselves in such situations, while over 77% of men endorsed controlling behaviour towards women. The Men’s Dialogues aim to tackle these and other socio-cultural factors driving GBV by mobilising men nationwide as agents of change against GBV and femicide.

These dialogues are aligned with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (2020–2030) and the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs (2023–2028). The Department of Social Development leads the implementation of Pillar 4 of the GBVF Plan: Response, Care, Support, and Healing.

Under the National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS, TB, and STIs, the Department is tasked with implementing Goal 4, which focuses on addressing the social and structural drivers of HIV, TB, and STIs. Gender inequality, harmful cultural practices, patriarchal norms, and toxic masculinity are recognised as key factors contributing to both gender-based violence and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

The first of the nationwide Men’s Dialogues will be hosted in Limpopo Province under the theme: “Championing Excellence: Celebrating Men’s Contributions and Leadership.” The event will bring together 150 men from the province’s five municipal districts to discuss and develop solutions to the factors driving violence against women and girls and the spread of HIV in South Africa.