‘Talk shops on GBV won’t reach the people on the ground’

The only way to find a solution to ending GBV is to stop holding talk shops for the elite, but rather opening the doors for every man on the street in order for them to get a chance to actively participate in in these conversations.

That’s according to rights group, Voice It in Action’s president, Kgothatso Moloto.

“When one says it is all talk shops, it sounds as though you are going against what government is doing, but that isn’t the case. As all you’re trying to do is show them a way of how they could better deal with this issuing that is affecting women on a daily in the country,” he adds.

Moloto’s remarks come days after South Africa hosted the two-day African Union’s Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity that’s aimed at addressing the continent’s scourge of gender-based violence.

The conference focused on involving men in positions of leadership and influence to engage other men and boys as part of an effort to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Moloto says these conversations must happen in spaces where not only leaders are present. He believes that every single member of society, both the young and old, should also be roped in.

He has lamented the lack of support for GBV initiatives.  Moloto says government needs to provide more resources to ensure that the conversation on this continues and reach all corners of South Africa.

Moloto was one of those who attended the AU men’s conference and says while he is grateful for the opportunity – more needs to be done to deal with the GBV scourge.

The Voice it in Action leader says government needs to also better understand that the best way to reach the people on the ground by meeting them where they are.

He will be hosting #ColourWalk against GBVF, rape, human trafficking, bullying and other related ills this weekend and is urging South Africans from all walks of lives to join in the bid to get to the bottom of these social ills.

#colorwalk#VoiceItinAction
Join us in Pretoria on the 3rd of Dec 2023 as we take a walk against GBVF. For more info https://t.co/o8aUsZOJc1 pic.twitter.com/D2ITm6FZqA

— @VoiceItInAction (@voiceitinaction) November 30, 2023