Picture: Social Development’s Specialist Social Services acting Chief Director Hessie Wiessie opens men and boys dialogue in Ganyesa
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
30 October 2026 – Men and boys have been urged to become positive role models in their families and communities, promote responsible manhood and take a firm stand against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The call was made during a Men and Boys Dialogue held at Ganyesa Community Hall in Ganyesa, where participants engaged in discussions aimed at addressing social challenges affecting men and boys and encouraging positive behavioural change.
The dialogue which was organised by North West Department of Social Development on Thursday, covered a range of issues, including positive masculinity and responsible manhood, fatherhood and mentorship, HIV and AIDS prevention, teenage pregnancy prevention, healthy lifestyles, positive male influence and the prevention of GBV.
Leading the dialogue, the acting Chief Director for Specialist Social Services, Hessie Wiessie said the North West Department of Social Development continued to invest in the lives of boys and young men through its Men and Boys Championing Change programmes. Wiessie said these are social and behaviour change programmes aimed at addressing and eradicating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), HIV and AIDS, and other social ills affecting communities.
“During the current financial year, the department had funded non-profit organisations (NPOs) to conduct dialogues that address challenges faced by men, including healthy living, responsible fatherhood and gender-based violence.
“Too often, cases of GBV reported in the media involve men and boys as perpetrators. We cannot afford to remain silent while these challenges continue to affect our families and communities. It is time for us to educate one another, take responsibility for our actions and instil good morals in the boy child,” she said.
Wiessie emphasised that raising boys to become responsible men required the collective involvement of families, communities and other stakeholders. She said men in particular, were encouraged to lead by example, guide young boys and create safe spaces where they could learn about respect, accountability and healthy relationships.
“One of the expected outcomes of the dialogue was to see more men becoming positive role models and influencers in their communities, including taking an active interest in mentoring boys and guiding them towards responsible adulthood. Mentorship was essential in helping boys develop positive values, make informed decisions and understand their role in preventing violence and promoting the well-being of others.
“At the conclusion of the dialogue, participating men made a pledge to fight gender-based violence in their communities and committed themselves to refusing to turn a blind eye when incidents of abuse occur. The pledge reinforced the message that preventing GBV requires collective responsibility, with men and boys playing an active role in challenging harmful behaviours, supporting survivors and promoting respect and equality,” said Wiessie.
She said through its Men and Boys Championing Change programmes, the Department of Social Development continues to encourage positive masculinity, strengthen responsible fatherhood and mentorship, and mobilise men and boys to become agents of positive social change.
