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WSU young men from Buffalo City campus and Butterworth campus gathered in Butterworth recently for a Young Men’s Imbizo hosted by Student Governance, Leadership Development Unit.
The purpose of the dialogue was to open a safe space for WSU young men to express themselves in a non-judgmental environment in the context of the key theme: “Gender Based Violence and Human Rights”.
Mr Mdazana from Human Rights Commission said Gender Based Violence raises its head in different cultures and women; and children are more affected.
“Men don’t have to wait until someone dies for them to take a step. Institutions of higher learning should provide a mechanism or necessary support to fight against Gender Based Violence. Men must be empowered and have policy framework intended to protect victims,” he said.
Mr Nkontso from the Commission for Gender Equality spoke on Gender Dynamics in Gender Based Violence. He said men commit GBV using the word “LOVE” and men need to refrain from doing such.
Mr Tshayana an author and Activist speaking on toxic masculinity said men want to prove their sexuality through violence and by having multiple partners. Men should stop demanding respect they don’t deserve and need to know better.
Ms Mtolo and Author and Commentator said women live in an intense environment where they get harassed at work but keep silent.
“We should be a woke generation because abuse breaks people. Men need to deal with their brokenness and call each other out,” she said.
Mr Kani from Department of Safety and Liaison presented stats of crime in the Eastern Cape and said people should not limit abuse to physical abuse because verbal abuse is the most dangerous. Mr Kani promised to launch Campus Safety which makes WSU be the second institution nationally to have the programme.
The event had been successful in raising debate among men on aspects of respecting women and their rights promoting morals and better relationships between men and women.
By: Mandlakazi Khekhezwa
