Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu and SANAC men’s sector to host Boys’ Assembly and District Men’s Parliament in Vryburg, North West Province
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu in partnership with SANAC Men’s Sector, the North West Provincial Department of Social Development and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality will host the Boys Assembly on 24 August and the District Men’s Parliament on 25 August in Vryburg, North West.
The Assembly will bring together 500 boys between the ages of 15 and 24 from four districts of the North West Province. The District Men’s Parliament is targeted to reach 300 men from the religious sector and traditional leadership under the theme “Institutionalising a Responsive Men’s Movement”.
The District Men’s Parliament coincides with the United Nations (UN) Women global initiative known as Orange Day which is observed on the 25th of each month since 2009. Orange Day aims to mobilise communities, civil society, activists, governments and the UN system to UNiTE to end Violence against Women and Girls. Every month on this day, individuals across the globe are encouraged to wear a touch of orange in solidarity with the cause. The orange colour symbolises a brighter and a world free from violence against women and girls. The roll out of the District Men’s Parliament was recommended by the inaugural and successful National Men’s Parliament which was held in Cape Town on 19 November 2018.
The two programmes form part of the Department’s Men Championing Change programme under Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu’s 2019 Women’s Month activities. The Department of Social Development leads the implementation of Goal 4 of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs (2017-2022) which seeks to address social and structural drivers of HIV, TB & STIs. Globally, it is recognised that gender inequality, harmful cultural practices and beliefs influenced by patriarchal norms and toxic masculinities are some of the social and structural factors that drive the dual burden of gender-based violence and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
In line with the NSP, the Department developed social and behavioural change programmes to promote positive behavioural outcomes that are critical in altering the course of the epidemics. To this end, the Department has partnered with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Men’s Sector under the banner of Takuwani Riime campaign to engage men and boys as agents of change and as integral partners in prevention and response in tackling the spread of HIV, sexual and gender-based violence and other social ills confronting South Africa.
Takuwani Riime, is a Venda expression meaning: “Let Us Stand Up Together” that seeks to engage collective men’s action and responses to adverse social conditions and for them to take accountability for their contribution in resolving social challenges affecting their communities.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Boys Assembly and District Men’s Parliament respectively, which are scheduled as follows:
Boys Assembly
Date: 24 August 2019
Time: 10h00-15h00
Venue: Mmabana Cultural Centre, Taung - North West Province
District Men’s Parliament
Date: 25 August 2019
Time: 10h00 -15h00
Venue: Areka Church, Huhudi - North West Province
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845/e-mail: NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za and Mr Petrus Siko on 083 647 0668/e-mail: PSiko@nwpg.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
Email: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
