Pretoria - Children who grow up with absent fathers can suffer lasting damage.
They are more likely to end up in poverty or drop out of school, become addicted to drugs, have a child out of wedlock, or end up in prison.
To address these challenges, the Growing Up Without A Father South African Foundation hosted its annual #NoExcuse men’s conference.
The event is meant to uplift and educate men to be better people. This year’s conference took place on November 19 in Midrand, and 150 men and 10 women attended.
The purpose was to raise awareness around the effect of fatherlessness in South African communities, educate men about mental health issues, and highlight the use of strength positively by men in an effort to eradicate gender-based violence.
Founder Charley Pietersen said fatherlessness was an epidemic and ruining more lives than all diseases put together, destroying lives, thereby creating generations of pain and despair.
Crime statistics released this week by Minister of Police Bheki Cele showed that GBV and femicide in South Africa were increasing.
Cele reported that more than 10 000 people had been victims of rape between July and September this year.
“This represents an increase of 10.8% compared to the same period last year.
“The killing of women and children worsened in the second quarter, with reports of 989 women who were murdered alongside 315 boys and girls aged 0 to 17.
“South Africa, we have a serious problem on our hands.”
According to Pietersen: “These statistics prove that, apart from the lack of awareness created around emotional, financial, and psychological issues men face, they need a place where they can be sensitised on how to handle these challenges.
“As men, we must take care of our physical health, moreover prostate cancer, a healthy lifestyle, sex challenges, and responsible drinking, among other things.”
He said the conference was informative and had top-class speakers, among them City of Joburg speaker Colleen Makhubele, as well as advocate Lesley Sedibe, Brain Mofokeng, Thabang Tlaka, and others.
Pretoria News