July is Men’s Month and the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Men's Forum will during this month embark on a variety of campaigns to add its voice to the call to end gender-based violence which, in the main, affects women and children.
The KZN Provincial Men’s Forum is led by the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu and is chaired by Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, the MEC for Health in the province. Adding its voice to these campaigns, will be Ukhozi FM, who have partnered with the Province to fight against all forms of violence against women and children.
The campaign's will, among others, include the Traditional Leaders Dialogues, Men’s Prayer Sessions, a Religious Conference, Boys and Men’s Dialogues, Fatherhood Programmes and Drug and Substance Abuse Campaigns.
The recent abduction of over 200 girls in a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria, by Boko Haram militants some weeks ago once again highlighted the disdain with which women and children are regarded and treated by some men. The KZN Provincial Men’s Forum condemns this barbaric act and calls for the immediate release of these girls.
This abduction has been used as a bargaining tool to negotiate the exchange of imprisoned Boko Haram members. It is time for men to stop using or abusing women and children for any power gains.
Dr Dhlomo says: “As we enter July, which is observed as Men’s Month, we call all real men to stand up and add their voice to the call to end all forms of gender violence against women, the elderly and children.”
Dr Dhlomo also called on all KZN citizens to use this month (July) as a month of action to amplify the voice of men (Izwi Lamadoda) on the importance of gender transformation and human rights.
“We will also elevate the good work done by good men in society to promote good role models for future generations,” he said.
Enquiries:
Sam Mkhwanazi
Cell: 081 038 2193
