Tracking the News

By Kagiso Metswamere

Mafikeng - As part of dealing with issues affecting transformation within communities, men across the North West will gather at the Mmabatho stadium on Wednesday to discuss gender discrimination.

The North West Department of Transport Road and Community Safety will for the first time host a Men’s Dialogue Indaba, which seeks to build men’s capacity to respond to issues affecting them.

The event, which will be held under the theme: “Men with integrity, say no to gender discrimination”, will also seek to provide men with a platform to better discuss issues affecting women.

Speaking to BuaNews on Monday, spokesperson for the department, Mandela Mathebula said government will deal with gender discrimination if men are fully involved.

“We have social, economical, cultural, educational, spiritual, work and health related issues which must be addressed by the indaba.

“We therefore give men the platform to deal specifically with various issues which promote gender discrimination and also give them an opportunity to provide solutions to all their challenges,” said Mr Mathebula.

He emphasised that programmes such as women empowerment will not work effectively if men did not unite and became part of the transformation.

“We are confident that after the indaba, men will better understand how to assist in changing the negative behaviour towards women and children and other issues related to gender discrimination,” Mr Mathebula said.

He said all men were welcome to attend and participate in the men’s dialogue indaba.

“Our department is inviting men from all the districts in the North West to be part of the event; we need their support to build a responsible community,” Mr Mathebula said.

Departmental MEC Phenye Vilakazi is expected to address the indaba.

Speakers will include Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Molopyane Mabe, Former MEC for Education Department, Zacharia Tolo and Jabu Ao Africa from the South African Men’s Action Group. - BuaNews