July, recognised as Men's Month passed with little fanfare and few platforms or activities encouraging men to be vulnerable and speak openly about their fears, social pressures and struggles. Yet men continue to account for a disproportionate number of suicide deaths, while women remain disproportionately affected by gender-based violence. Both realities highlight the need for meaningful conversations and sustained support.
July, recognised as Men's Month in South Africa, came and went with little public conversation or visible commitment to the issues affecting men. The month was established to encourage men to speak openly about their struggles, support one another and confront the social challenges that continue to affect individuals, families and communities.
South Africa continues to grapple with alarmingly high levels of violence, gender-based violence, femicide and suicide. While women disproportionately bear the burden of GBV and femicide, men are disproportionately represented in suicide statistics.
Together, these realities point to a crisis of emotional wellbeing and a culture of violence that cannot be ignored.
Although several organisations provide safe spaces for men to discuss mental health, fatherhood, relationships and personal growth, their efforts remain overshadowed by a culture that still discourages vulnerability. Harmful beliefs such as "men don't cry" have persisted for generations, leaving many men to bottle up anger, grief and anxiety until those emotions surface in destructive ways.
