Only men have the power to bring about change in ending gender-based violence

The 3rd African Men's Federation Conference took place in the capital Pretoria from November 27-28, to discuss measures to end violence against women and girls in Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and leaders attending the 3rd African Men's League Conference in Pretoria from 27-28 November 2023. (Source: GCIS)

Co-hosted by South Africa and Comoros, this year's conference focuses on the theme “Accelerating Commitments towards the African Union (AU) Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls”.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former Central African Republic Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza... attended the conference.

At the conference, delegates reviewed the implementation of the results of the first and second Men's League Conferences; considered the draft AU Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls (AU-EVAWG); and exchanged views and active intervention measures to address violence against women and girls in Africa.

Speaking at the Conference, President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that the African continent must eliminate patriarchy and traditional norms where women and girls are not respected.

This behaviour has led to violence against the most vulnerable and needs to be addressed by engaging men and boys in ending gender-based violence, he said.

Although men are the main perpetrators of violence against women and girls, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, it is men who have the power to bring about the necessary change.

In recent years, violence against women and girls in Africa has remained one of the issues that African countries have been concerned about and are seeking to solve. As the President of South Africa affirmed, the violence "is eroding our achievements, holding back the development of our continent and leaving more than half of the African population in a state of anxiety and fear".

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nam-gioi-moi-co-kha-nang-mang-lai-su-thay-doi-trong-cham-dut-bao-luc-tren-co-so-gioi-251820.html