ADDRESSING GBV: INCLUSION OF MEN, BOYS

In the context of our prevailing patriarchal society, it is an acknowledged fact that boys and men often receive preferential treatment across various domains of life.

This societal structure inherently affords the male child greater opportunities, systematically nurturing and preparing him for leadership roles and high-income professions. Within many familial settings, it is still expected for boys to receive services from their female siblings or relatives. This dynamic permits boys to exercise dominance over their sisters, even to the extent of physical altercations, without significant repercussion. Conversely, a girl child who either defends herself or initiates a confrontation is swiftly condemned, her actions deemed incompatible with the expected demeanour of a future wife. The admonishment ‘indvuku ayiwakhi umuti’ is reserved for men in grave circumstances only, highlighting a stark disparity in behavioural expectations based on gender.

From an early age the male child is indoctrinated with the belief that the expression of pain or sorrow through tears is unbecoming of a man (‘indvodza ayikhali’). Such societal norms stifle emotional expression, equating vulnerability with weakness and relegating the articulation of feelings to a characteristic of the opposite sex. This upbringing cultivates a persona that finds difficulty in expressing vulnerabilities, encapsulated in the rebuke ‘ukhulumisa kwemfati’. This lack of emotional literacy can significantly strain intimate relationships later in life, as communication becomes pivotal. In scenarios where discourse escalates into emotive confrontations, the man, unaccustomed to verbal expression, may resort to physical aggression as a misguided form of communication. It must be clarified that such actions are choices, not inevitable outcomes of social conditioning or genetic predisposition.

This restrictive socialisation contributes to a silent epidemic among men, who endure mental and physical health challenges, including hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, exacerbated by unexpressed emotions. Distressingly, data has indicated that men bear the highest rates of suicide, with Eswatini reported, in 2019, as having the third highest suicide rate globally, per 100 000 inhabitants. The rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases has brought increased attention to the victimisation of women and girls, who constitute a significant proportion of survivors. However, an emerging narrative reveals a concerning trend of men experiencing abuse, predominantly emotional, at the hands of women. Although less reported and sensationalised than physical abuse, emotional mistreatment carries profound mental health implications for the victims.

Criminalises

The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act criminalises emotional abuse, though its enforcement and the resultant jurisprudence regarding male victims remain underdeveloped. The observed reluctance of law enforcement to actively pursue cases reported by men underscores a systemic bias that hinders the equitable application of justice.
To effectively combat GBV, a comprehensive and inclusive approach is paramount. It is imperative to recognise and address the abuse suffered by men without diminishing the severity of women’s victimisation. The fight against GBV requires the engagement of all sexes, fostering a society where neither is marginalised. Allegations of men’s abuse should not be dismissed as misogynistic rhetoric, but acknowledged as a genuine concern that merits attention and action. The path to eradicating GBV necessitates a united front, wherein the experiences of all victims are validated, and efforts to heal and reform societal norms are collectively undertaken.

I firmly advocate for the substantial investment in the institution of the family, in its various manifestations. Recognised as the foundational unit of society, the family institution holds paramount importance in shaping individuals, particularly boys and men, who have the potential to surpass the current societal standards. The focus ought to shift towards preemptive measures rather than predominantly reactive responses that have been observed from various sectors. In addressing GBV, which is a pressing concern within the country, one notable initiative has been the enactment of the SODV Act. This legislation, emerging from extensive efforts and the investment of considerable resources, represented a necessary and overdue response to the issue at hand. However, the realisation that this Act alone has not sufficed in eradicating the issue, compels us to engage in more creative and thoughtful solutions, as the problem has, regrettably, continued to escalate.

Activity

There has been a notable deficiency in focusing on preventive measures, a domain where the government, civil society, religious institutions and development partners have shown limited activity. The reliance on punitive measures has proven to be ineffectual without the support of preventative strategies. Furthermore, the efforts that have been made suffer from a lack of coordination, with no clear leadership to guide the collective response. Another critical shortfall is the dearth of research within this area. Predominantly, the data available pertains to incidences rather than an in-depth understanding of the root causes of GBV, resulting in interventions that lack effectiveness and fail to achieve desired outcomes. The current approach, characterised by its superficiality and fragmentation, is insufficient for addressing the issue of GBV in its entirety. Merely incarcerating offenders without addressing the underlying factors, including socialisation patterns, economic disparities, cultural norms, religious influences and a general lack of conflict resolution skill, will not lead to a sustainable solution. It is imperative that a more comprehensive and coordinated strategy is developed, one that encompasses both punitive and preventive measures, backed by rigorous research to identify and tackle the fundamental drivers of GBV effectively.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: