Cape Town - As South Africa embarks on 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, crucial dialogue surrounding men’s wellness has taken centre stage, propelled by the efforts of organisations like Father a Nation.
The engagement addresses not only urgent issues of mental health struggles and childhood trauma, but also confronts the harmful stereotypes of masculinity that often lead to destructive behaviour among men.
The dialogue gained particular momentum following the recent release of the first national gender-based violence (GBV) study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
The groundbreaking research delves into the core drivers of the ubiquitous GBV crisis in South Africa and illustrates stark statistics.
A shocking 70% of men adhere to the belief that a woman should obey her husband, while 23% assert that a woman can never refuse sex with her partner. This while 15% believe a husband has the right to punish his wife for perceived wrongdoings.
Craig Wilkinson, founder and CEO of Father a Nation, highlighted these findings as “a wake-up call”.
He explained how mental health challenges, childhood trauma, and distorted notions of masculinity are fuelling harmful male behaviour, exacerbating SA’s alarming rates of GBV.
“If SA is to make meaningful progress in eradicating GBV, these root causes must be addressed with urgency and intentionality,” he said.
His organisation, which has been in operation since 2010, believes that “if we heal men, we will heal society”.
Nearly 15 years into its mission, the HSRC study reinforces this stance.
Wilkinson emphasised that abuse is not in a man’s inherent nature.
“It’s simply not in the DNA of a man to harm a woman or child,” Wilkinson said.
“Something has to go horribly wrong in a boy’s journey to adulthood for him to become abusive.”
The HSRC study supports this assertion, identifying childhood trauma and mental health issues as significant contributors to violent behaviour, while also revealing how distorted masculine ideals perpetuate abuse.
“These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the systemic and behavioural drivers of GBV, with a focus on mental health, substance abuse, and transforming harmful gender norms,” the HSRC said in its study.
According to Wilkinson, turning the tide on GBV in SA necessitates substantial investment in psycho-social support for men and boys, alongside education in positive and healthy masculinity.
“Counselling, mentorship, and trauma healing must become accessible and mainstream,” Wilkinson said.
Cape Argus