Parliament encouraged by the partnership with Social Development and SANAC
National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli together with the Deputy Minister of National Department of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu were very much thrilled when they addressed the media at the national legislature’s Imbizo Centre today. The media briefing was about a launch of the National Men’s Parliament taking place at the Old Assembly Chamber from 18 – 20 November.
The vision of the country is to create a gender sensitive and non-racial society, therefore, the partnership with Social Development is important as there is a need to act on the root cause of gender-based societal problems, one of them being patriarchy, Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli said. He further highlighted that this historic partnership comes at a time when Parliament is wrapping its work and this event is a continuation of the public participation process of the sectoral parliaments. It helps in pursuing the realization of raising awareness and interconnecting with different stakeholders. Additionally, the event helps in the realization of the goals set out in the sectoral parliaments to interact with all groups in society.
“As a responsive Parliament, we are always aiming at improving the quality of life of people and this partnership provides a perfect opportunity of interacting with men from all walks of life, raise awareness and deepen our understanding by seeking a leverage point by coming together as different sectors. The sectoral parliaments are a very important mechanism that Parliament, provincial legislatures and local municipalities have a role to ensure the deepening of our understanding and the much-needed interconnectedness in understanding and fighting the root cause of the gender-based violence,” Mr Tsenoli re-emphasized.
In partnership with the Department of Social Development, the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) and the Men’s Sector as part of the Takuwani Riime Men’s Movement, Parliament is hosting a three-day programme of the National Men’s Parliament. The programme stems from the strategic objectives of the Takuwani Riime Men’s Movement to advance social behavioural change for social development, with a special focus on:
- Gender-based violence
- Socio-economic development
- Comprehensive sexuality education and sexual reproductive health services to advance prevention of HIV infections
Furthermore, in this National Men’s Parliament sitting all the provincial representatives will provide feedback on resolutions from the respective previous provincial discussions that were held through the Provincial Men’s Parliament sittings. Amongst others, the programme also include The Men’s Sector leaders providing feedback on provincial, district and community gender-based reports during the plenary sitting of the National Men’s Parliament.
At tomorrow’s session, the National Men’s Parliament will debate a range of topics of discussion affecting men at large as follows:
- Definition of a man – validation of positive masculinity and need for healing safe spaces for men to engage
- Promoting a healthy society – health and wellness
- The call from gender-based awareness response as men
- Personal commitment –the role of men in re-building society
- Mentorship – raising responsive responsible boys
- Socio-economic determinants – how men are going to build the economy
The day will be concluded by dealing with Members’ statements and motions without notice.
On Tuesday, 20 November, the last day of the programme the National Men’s Parliament plenary session will be held at Cape Town Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre with Chairperson of the Men’s Sector, Mr Ntando Yalo as the presiding officer.
Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo
Cell: 082 370 6930
