In an effort to fight gender-based violence members of Khayelitsha Sub-District Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum (SCPF) together with those from various local organisations, converged on Desmond Tutu Hall in Harare, on Tuesday 25 November, for a dialogue involving men of the area, where they could freely share perspectives and life experiences.
According to Khayelitsha Sub-District SCPF chair Sakhele Kula said the event formed part of the 16 Days of Activism of No violence against Women and Children. “Our aim is to conscientise men,” he explained. “We want to empower and educate them against GBV, to change to be better men without resorting to toxic masculinity as a way to deal with life’s challenges.”
Kula emphasised that all nine police stations in the Khayelitsha Sub-District were represented on the day. He also urged men not to shy away from reporting any abuse committed on them by partners to the police. He described Khayelitsha as a hotspot for GBV and domestic violence.
Father A Nation (FAN) mentor Victor Pike said his organisation’s mandate is to assure women and children that “there are still good men around, and we lead by example. We aim to be role-models to young people.” Speaking on behalf of Police Commissioner for Khayelitsha Sub-District Brig Mnoneleli Magobiyane, Col Bambelela Ngxaki told the gathering that the police stations had vowed to prioritise the GBV cases. He cited illegal shebeens as being a contributing factor in escalating GBV cases.
“Most cases occur when people are under the influences of liquor. Most shebeens don’t close at night and this causes people to drink the whole night. That is when they start to fight.” He said the police were working more closely with various stakeholders, including the Youth Desk, Women’s Network, Men for Change, among other entities, to change perspectives and behaviours, particularly among males. Ngxaki said the 16 Days of Activism are not enough to fight GBV; a whole culture has to be influenced and transformed, a process that takes time in seeing desired results taking root.
