By: Natasha Archary

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the 3rd African Union Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity in Pretoria on Tuesday, 28 November.
Ramaphosa said South Africa has a number of initiatives, programmes, and dialogues to elevate the importance of positive masculinity as part of the fight against gender-based violence.
The conference comes in the week that the annual campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence commences across the globe.
Ramaphosa said the conference is about promoting positive masculinity and challenging traditional stereotypes about being a man, by redefining the norms and expectations placed on men.
The President said while men are the main perpetrators of violence against women and girls, they do at the same time have the power to bring about the change we so sorely need.
“There is one thing on which we agree: positive masculinity can and must be harnessed as a powerful force for good.
Ending violence against women and girls everywhere is our collective responsibility as society, but when it comes to the participation of men, that onus is even greater.
We owe it to the women and girls of our continent to be better men, better fathers, better caregivers, better partners and better sons.
Let us build on the gains of the first two conferences to birth a new Africa that affirms the human dignity, equality and worth of every African woman and girl.
Let us leave no man and boy behind in this journey.
Together, as an expanding circle of champions, we will make the Convention to End Violence Against Women and Girls a reality in our beloved Africa.”
Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the 3rd African Union Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity
In his address at the 3rd African Union Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity, Ramaphosa said such violence against women is eroding our gains, stunting our continent’s development, and leaving more than half of Africa’s population in a state of anxiety and fear.
The Circle of Champions must continue to inspire high-level leadership in ending violence against women and girls.#MensConference#PositiveMasculinity pic.twitter.com/YtVrktnbjD
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 28, 2023
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