Men’s Dialogue in Alex seeks to change the negative narrative around men and GBV

The City of Johannesburg through its Employee Assistance Programme sought to change the negative image of men and gender-based violence (GBV) through a Men’s Dialogue themed the ‘Voices of Men’ held at the Altrec Hall in Alexandra on Africa Day, May 25.

The aim of the dialogue session was to engage with men on how to be change agents in their communities and build a society where all people who live in it are free from fear. Men gathered to discuss topics that are often avoided or hardly mentioned between men and society at large.

The dialogue also provided an opportunity for experts to speak to men in a formally structured programme where experts from different fields shared information on men’s psycho-social issues and provided solutions.

Marumo Ralebone, an Employee Assistance Programme specialist in the city, said there is a dominant narrative that men do not seek help when they experience suffering and emotional troubles.

“However, despite these stories and dysfunctional norms and beliefs of society, it is evident that men’s access to services remains limited due to the lack of gender-specific support,” said Ralebone.

One of the speakers, Nditsheni Maanda from the Justice Department, spoke about co-parenting, child maintenance, and divorce matters.

“Both men and women misinterpret what is wrong and right when it comes to children born out of wedlock, going through a divorce and what is necessary when co-parenting. Common ground is needed, and the presence of the other parent is more important than what you can give in valuable items,” she said.

She said maintenance is more than monetary value added to a child’s life and that the responsibility is to be present and think of the best interests of the child and their well-being, as parents.

“It is evident that this was a key matter for men given the multiple questions asked during the question-and-answer session,” said Maanda.

The issue of GBV was highlighted by Gibson Sidebe, who mentioned that some men were not taking kindly to upwardly mobile, working and educated women.

“This is one of the contributing factors to increased GBV among the many others such as substance abuse and also changes in the day to day living that contribute to men’s inability to adapt,” said Sidebe. He urged men to use platforms such as the Men’s Dialogue so that society can paint a better picture of men.

“The Men’s Dialogue is a great point of departure to encourage the topics that are unheard and unseen by society. We do not want to create the narrative that men are wrong and irresponsible, instead, we want to create a forum for men to speak out and be heard and make available options to help as well.”

“Knowledge will assist and empower men and will greatly contribute towards the fight against GBV while encouraging men to seek help because help is available. Understanding and men listening and learning from other men is also a starting point,” said Sidebe.

Related Article:

Region E Libraries aim to hook the youth with books and keep them away from drugs

Former Alex drug addict urges Omherezi to ‘wake up’ to the dangers of drugs