By Refiloe Mohale- GM of The YouthStart Foundation
The fight for gender equity cannot be won through fragmented efforts, this is evidently clear, year after year with the global, continental and indeed South African statistics on various societal and economic spheres. The importance of a whole-of- society approach is necessary—one that brings together governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals.
As South Africa joins the global observance of “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children,” it is both a moment to reflect on progress and a stark reminder of the long road ahead. Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) remains a pervasive and harrowing reality in our country, with alarming statistics casting a shadow over the efforts of three decades.
The youth of South Africa face significant barriers, from soaring unemployment and inadequate access to quality education to the persistent challenges of violence and discrimination. These issues not only stifle their potential but also hinder the nation’s progress. Empowering young people is no longer just a moral responsibility, it is a vital strategy for building a sustainable and equitable future.
Focusing on underprivileged rural and township communities, we must take decisive action to break these cycles of inequity.
Despite decades of awareness campaigns and legislative progress, South Africa continues to grapple with some of the highest rates of GBV and femicide (GBVF) globally. This sobering reality is not just a failure of policy or enforcement—it is a societal failure. We must ask ourselves: How can we break this cycle? The answer lies not only in empowering women and protecting children but also in addressing the root causes—starting with the boys who will grow up to be men.
For many years the16 Days of Activism Campaign has focused on the horrifying stats and sad reality of GBVF that we face. Our attention moved from “policing” women and girls by telling them how to dress and where not to go, to telling our boys that they are the problem. If you tell a young boy enough times how bad he is, he might just start believing it. It is time to change that toxic narrative and relay to our young boys that they are good, that they are worthy, that they were made for help and not harm. We must ignite in them the fire to realise their potential and know that they are loved. We need to nurture our boys to be the allies needed for women and Girls.
Our country, South Africa is known for its vibrant culture and resilient spirit, but we cannot ignore that it is also known as one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman and girl. Every day, stories of women and girls being hurt or killed flood our news and social media timelines, that should not be the norm, that should not be accepted as just another South African problem for government to deal with.
The fight against GBV cannot be won through fragmented efforts. This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of a whole-of-society approach—one that brings together governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals such as yourselves.
That’s the hard truth: this isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s a societal issue. It’s our issue. And it is our young men that have the power to change this narrative.
Many might think, “I’m not part of the problem” and you’re right, you might not be.
But ask yourself, what are you doing to be part of the solution? Are you calling out harmful behaviour when you see it? Are you checking your friends when they disrespect women? Are we unlearning toxic ideas about what being a man means?
The reality is that culture has fed us a harmful version of masculinity, a version that equates manhood with dominance, violence, and control. That version has failed us, and it’s time for us to redefine what being a man really means.
True strength isn’t about the size of your fist or how big your bank balance is. It’s about respect, empathy, and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not easy. It’s about creating a world where women and every child feel safe in our presence, not threatened.
The YouthStart Foundation and Primestars along with various private and public partners is on a mission to redefine the narrative and amplify the fight against GBV with focusing on empowering our young men! This programme, this film, “What About The Boys" is a call to action. It’s not just about reflecting on what needs to change—it’s about make boys realize they are the agents of that change, to become allies in the fight. It creates safe spaces for the beneficiaries speak on the various challenges they face, guided by trained mentors through open and frank engagements. Since inception in 2022 and with the 2024 data still being collated, the programme has positively impacted over 60 000 boys across the country. But this is not enough and this programme needs to expand through increased private participation.
Saturday Star