Raising boys right can help prevent future GBV

WITH President Ramaphosa declaring gender-based violence (GBV) a national state of disaster, it’s important to talk about not just the violence women face, but also the men behind that violence. This isn’t about excusing their actions; it’s about understanding the cycle that keeps it going. To really reduce GBV, we can't ignore the other half of the equation.

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Many men come from households where they’ve experienced their own trauma - absent fathers, violent homes, and untreated mental health issues where violence is seen as normal. These patterns don’t just happen by chance. Boys grow up without support or guidance and are expected to become men who can “cope” without the right tools.