Ground-breaking initiative to tackle GBV launched in Rosebank
10 000 boys in 100 schools were reached through the launch of a first-of-its-kind preventative GBV programme launched in cinemas, Rosebank’s Ster-Kinekor being one.
A Ground-breaking gender-based violence (GBV) intervention initiative was launched at cinemas across the country.
Ster-Kinekor cinema in Rosebank also hosted the first-of-its-kind initiative on August 13. The multi-stage programme, What about the Boys? was created by youth development programme facilitator, Prime stars.
Programme MC and Primestars COO Nkosinathi Moshoana said it was about time perpetrators of GBV became part of the solution. He said it was time to decide against the trend of being reactive to GBV and rather be proactive.
Context of programme
Managing director of Primestars Martin Sweet said hardly a day went by in this country without a report of women being attacked, violated or killed by men. “It’s essential to shine the spotlight, to raise awareness of what’s going on. But it’s more important to act, so here we are.”
Sweet said the human and economic impact of GBV was too big to ignore and more must be invested in prevention not just in the response.
“Since the underlying behaviour that increases a man’s risk of committing GBV starts in childhood, we must invest in prevention from a young age. This is our motivation for launching What about the Boys? a behavioural change programme that encourages boys and men to be part of the solution.
“We see evidence of limiting gender roles and stereotypes playing out in many disturbing ways and as men we’re often told to man up, to show strength and hide weakness, to dominate and control, to never admit vulnerability or show emotion, to stoically bottle up fear and distress, avoid support and communication at all costs, to view women as property and objects instead of equal partners and sources of support.”
Sweet said if we do not help young boys heal, we do not empower them to be the allies we need them to be. He added that boys must be made aware they were owed no special position because of their gender. “Education in schools plays a vital role in providing our youth with basic tools and knowledge about issues like gender stereotypes, healthy relationships, sexual consent and respect.”
How the programme will benefit participants?
The What about the Boys? the programme complements the above-mentioned by focusing on changing how boys and young men feel about themselves; their futures and their behaviour towards women and the LGBTQI community and others. “We fail them if we do not give them an opportunity to have open, robust discussions about these issues in a safe, supportive space where they can express their opinions, fears and anxieties,” said Sweet.
Through the initiative, thousands of high school boys from all walks of life will be taken on a hero’s journey where they will be provided with experiences, tools, safe spaces and support so that they can:
- Become aware of the internal, emotional and psychological triggers.
- Self-regulate anxiety, powerlessness, sadness and anger and create hope for the future,
- Unlearn harmful societal norms of masculinity and gender norms and develop healthier and more positive ways.
- Better navigate the inevitable external pressures that life brings.
- Act with compassion and empathy to others and not allow anger and anxiety to result in GBV.
Sweet added they had established an ecosystem of qualified organisations that would provide counselling to boys and girls in need of assistance.
Contributions by other stakeholders
The key sponsor of the programme, Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (Chieta) is responsible for facilitating skills development and training initiatives in the country, especially in the chemical sector.
Chieta CEO Yershen Pillay said, “We need to do more and talk less. We got involved because this programme falls into the four brackets that define the work that we do. The first being transformation. As a Sector Education and Training Authority [Seta] that is focused on empowering youth, women and people with disabilities, 10 000 young boys in 100 schools made sense to us. As a Seta that’s focused on innovation, using cinema and theatre to educate made sense to us. As a Seta focused on collaboration, partnering with the private sector made sense to us. As a Seta focused on digitisation, a programme that uses digital platforms made sense.”
An executive of mining company Seriti, Thabo Masike said the mining industry was male-dominated and women fear to come into it. He added the few women who did come into mining had reported being victimised.
“Therefore, we saw the need to get on board and do something to be able to build a nation of young men who know that we need to respect the girl child, as males. We pledge to fully support our women in mining for the simple reason that they are there to be able to stand up and be supported by their male counterparts. We pledge to provide mentors for this programme to support the young men sitting out there to be able to understand when they’re being spoken to,” Masike said.
Smollan executive Kgomotso Sebopelo said they pledged to work with their employees to educate and give them support to be change agents in their communities.
Absa executive Thabo Mashaba said they channelled their funds to programmes that focused on the emancipation of women. They also pledged not to be silent on issues that were discussed but take part and be part of the solution.
Have any initiatives to empower your community? Share your ideas by email to naidines@caxton.co.za
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