Men urged to challenge harmful behaviour as Ekurhuleni GBV crisis deepens
As the ninth woman’s body is found in Ekurhuleni, men are challenged to confront harmful behaviour and take action against GBV.
Men are urged to actively combat harmful attitudes and intervene in their communities to address South Africa's gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis. This call came as the discovery of women's bodies in Ekurhuleni intensified concerns about the nation's GBVF issue. Seth Naicker of the Faith Action Collective and Fathers Matter emphasized that men must be "active, positive and present" in confronting GBVF, stating that it's not merely a woman's issue but a shared concern affecting men and boys.
Irfaan Mangera of RISE Mzansi stressed that men must go beyond distancing themselves from violence and challenge their own attitudes and behaviors, particularly those instilled during their upbringing. Former South African Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile underscored the importance of stronger relationships between communities and law enforcement to facilitate the timely reporting of potential threats and crimes.
Social Development Director Sibusiso Malope acknowledged the ongoing high prevalence of GBVF in South Africa, despite efforts to bolster the national response. Ekurhuleni's executive mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, called on men to challenge harmful behavior at home and in the community, urging them to protect women, intervene, and refuse to look away.
In response to the recent spate of GBV cases, including the discovery of nine women's bodies in Ekurhuleni over two months, activists from March and March, ActionSA, and the MK Party staged a protest outside Durban Central Police Station, demanding police action and answers from the community.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
