Social development men’s dialogue on genderbased violence

The Department of Social Development recently set a trend in communities across the Waterberg region, by hosting a district men’s dialogue at Modimolle’s OR Tambo Hall on Thursday, 12 March.

Men who are employed by the department were invited to come and discuss issues that affect both men, women and children in local communities, especially with specific focus on gender-based violence.

Among those who graced the event were University of Limpopo vice-chancellor Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, head of emergency services and theatre at Medical Hospital of Lebowakgomo, Dr Joseph Nkoko, provincial coordinator of
the Limpopo Moral Regeneration Movement, Bongani Hlongwane, and Department of Social Development District Director, Matome Makwela.

Professor Mokgalong urged men to set a good precedent, by finding alternative ways to deal with challenges than resorting to violence.

“Gender-based violence is an epidemic which as a country and as a nation, we should be ashamed of,” he said.

He said morality among society was currently at its lowest, and that there was an urgent need to revive and regenerate it.

Professor Mokgalong also emphasized on the importance of both men and women, to accept that times have changed, therefore embracing the fact women can also work and earn more than their husbands in some instances.

He highlighted this as an example and further indicated that it should not be reason for conflict in families, if they both reach an agreement on issues that are of importance.

“Why is that in most of our meetings we try to reach consensus, but when we get home we try to avoid that?” he questioned.

Social Development director, Matome Makwela, said the purpose of the dialogue was to resuscitate the employees who come across many challenges, as they continue to serve the community.

“I think we all have a responsibility of finding out what has gone wrong, what exactly is happening and why are we killing our loved ones,” , Makwela charged.

— The BEAT