Deputy Speaker, in response to concerns that the 16 Days of Activism campaign has run out of steam, one newspaper commentator put it like this, "It's all been said before, done before and heard before, but perhaps this is because the people who should be hearing about this are not."
I think the slogan, "From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World", is really profound and somehow key to a breakthrough. We know children learn by copying what they see and hear. Too many children in South Africa are just not getting the deep-seated emotional, psychological and educational benefits that come from living with a two-parent family. These children are at a real disadvantage.
A typical child today is raised by a mother in a single-parent household. Nine million children in South Africa are growing up without fathers in the home. That means 4,5 million boys with no role model and many more with television sitcoms shaping their lives and values. A UN slogan asks, "Have you been a Dad today?" A father's presence matters.
The African Fathers Initiative says fathers do care and that there are obstacles and disincentives for a father's involvement in existing approaches to public benefits, child support enforcement and paternity. We do not know enough about South Africa's men, how they experience marriage and fatherhood, or whether culturally gendered roles hinder men from being the men they would like to be. We do know, though, that men need support to improve their educational and economic circumstances so they can fulfil their caregiver and provider roles. Effort is needed to target more resources at young fathers, including those in low-income and rural communities.
Joblessness and unemployment are major impediments to family formation and father involvement. Being a breadwinner and provider is central to many men's sense of identity and self-worth. Loss of a job can be devastating, even emasculating, and some men compensate by becoming more controlling and even violent at home. As this violence could be pre-empted, the ACDP calls on trade unions to consider this issue. Community participation is a key prevention and protection strategy, and good neighbours can be critical. Everyday acts of kindness make the difference, whether it is calling the police or passing on the number of a local shelter or counselling service. Thank you.