MenCare in Matzikama

In the northern areas of the Western Cape governed by the Matzikama municipality, almost half of the population is jobless. Liquor stores in the towns provide a predictable outlet for people’s boredom and frustrations-and contribute to a range of social problems: fighting and aggression, substance abuse, domestic and sexual violence, child abuse and absent parenting.

The Matzikama Men and Boys Network – a partnership between Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke), Gender Transformation Network and the DSD – is a new initiative in the area and the first of its kind. The network aims to promote gender equality and to encourage men and boys to play a positive role in their families and communities. Since it was created in August 2012, the network has been actively implementing Sonke’s MenCare campaign, a campaign Sonke co-chairs together with the Brazilian NGO Instituto Promundo and other global partners. This case study provides an overview and outcomes of the Network and the implemented campaign.