Building strong families – a solution to the GBV epidemic

IN SOUTH Africa, too many children learn about fear before they learn to read. By age five, 83% of children have witnessed or experienced violence.

- DR ONYINYE NWANERI

It happens at home or in their neighbourhoods, and its scars show up even before primary school. For decades, mothers have borne this burden alone, shielding kids as best they can. While fathers have always cared deeply, their role was frequently limited to financial support, leaving them disconnected from the daily routines and emotional growth of their children.

As the 16 Days of Activism 2025 campaign launches, one truth stands out: fatherhood starts from the very first day and is rooted at the core of family life. The earliest years – from birth to age 8 – are vital for a child’s growth and well-being. Support and prevention cannot be postponed until they are older; it must begin in infancy, in the playroom, and in the simple, everyday experiences of childhood.

One groundbreaking initiative is showing how engaged fatherhood can transform families. Sesame Workshop International South Africa (SWISA) the home of Takalani Sesame's Transforming Gender Norms programme invited 1 200 biological and social fathers to step off the sidelines and onto the playmat with their young children.

Over 12 weeks, these men learned to play, read, and bond with children aged birth to 8. An independent evaluation found that fathers became more confident and joyful in parenting, and they spent more time in meaningful interactions with their children.