MenCare South Africa transforms a rural community’s gender norms

South Africa case studyA new case study, “MenCare in Matzikama,” documents how the Matzikama Men and Boys Network, in conjunction with MenCare’s co-coordinator Sonke Gender Justice, have transformed gender and family norms in a rural municipality in South Africa.

“We have set a platform for capacitating men and boys and families [and] redirecting their vision in terms of their own lifestyle and how to go about their everyday living,” said Andrew Julies, chairperson of the Matzikama Men and Boys Network steering committee.

Across Matzikama, people now wear MenCare t-shirts, which spark conversation and contribute to gradual shifts in social norms. MenCare’s “My Dad Can” Program uses media to promote positive local role models as examples of involved fathers. And, MenCare fatherhood groups in the community create safe and supportive spaces for men to explore the role of their own fathers in their lives and to reflect upon how they can be involved fathers in the lives of their own children.