Empowering men
Men in Durban are encouraged to join a campaign for their empowerment.
USING comedy as a tool, Phakamani Empowerment is looking to educate more men on health issues. Phakamani Empowerment is a social-behaviour-change communication and sexual-reproductive-health entity that focuses on increasing sexual-health knowledge and advocacy for safer sex practice and protected sex.
As part of their efforts to ensure that they reach as many people as possible and educate them about health issues, the organisation has partnered with one of KZN’s best comedians, Sandile Makhanya, known as Flymotion.
Explaining the partnership, Phakamani Ndlovu said, “Research shows a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affecting sexually active people between the ages of 15 and 49 years in eThekwini. Our aim is to reduce this through our education and self-esteem-building campaigns. When people are empowered with knowledge, they make the right choices for their health and well-being,” said Ndlovu.
Also read: A safe space for men to speak up
Phakamani Empowerment will be touring around Durban, along with Flymotion, to engage men in conversation with regards to their health and specifically circumcision.
“Our aim with this partnership is to take men through the process of circumcision and educate them about health. We have a clinic in Hillcrest and other places, as well, where we will be sending people to get circumcised. Free transport will be provided for people who are willing to be part of this initiative.”
Flymotion said he is happy to be part of this initiative because this is what he stands for as a father of sons.
“People enjoy jokes, and it makes any conversation easier. So channelling such conversation through jokes will be a helpful tool; it will make people aware and bring more insight because men tend to shy away from such topics,” he said.
Ndlovu said they are expected to start their tour around Durban soon. The public is welcome to contact Phakamani Ndlovu on 083 761 5841 or visit Phakamani Empowerment on their social media platforms.
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