An Alexandra men’s forum has stepped up its campaign against gender-based violence (GBV), using weekly dialogue sessions to confront abuse and the substance-use patterns members say often precede it.

The forum, which launched its Men’s Empowerment and Community Dialogue initiative in Ward 105 on September 23, builds its programme around regular Wednesday sessions where men discuss personal struggles without judgment.

Breaking the stigma around vulnerability

Ratanang Phuswane, a long-time attendee, said the sessions have helped him navigate personal challenges. He described GBV as a sensitive subject compounded by the reluctance many men feel about admitting to hardship.

Phuswane noted that the stigma around vulnerability keeps many men silent. “We need to swallow our pride. Things can be hard, especially when you live alone. So, if I want to vent, who would I talk to if I don’t use these spaces?” he asked, adding that fear of gossip stops men from opening up elsewhere.

Forum member Lawrence Mosesi attributed the silence to childhood socialisation. “There is this way we were raised that tigers do not cry, and people die inside. But there are issues that must be spoken of so that things may change,” he said.

Taking the message into local schools

Forum leaders believe the fight against GBV must start earlier in schools rather than relying solely on community meetings. Steven Thamaga, the men’s forum chairperson for Ward 81, wants the Father A Nation book — which teaches boys life lessons on becoming responsible young men — introduced into schools.

He noted that structured programmes are needed to stop learners from drifting into drug use. He added that forum members need to engage directly with women in the community and canvass block by block to better understand the roots of both gender-based violence and youth drug involvement.

Kgomotso Mathekga, another forum member, agreed on the need for early intervention, noting that sustainable change starts with children who pass positive messages to their peers. Mathekga added that dialogues play a vital role in tackling substance abuse alongside GBV.

Addressing the substance-violence connection

At the heart of the forum’s approach is a conviction that addiction and violence are linked. Alexandra Police Station commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane previously confirmed that community violence is frequently linked to alcohol consumption — a pattern that has pushed the forum to support people struggling with substance use.

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