Who is Honoring our Men? Declare November as Men's Month in South Africa
The Issue
Every day in South Africa, 23 men take their own lives – a staggering 10,861 fathers, brothers, and sons every year. Men account for 79% of all suicides in our country, revealing a crisis that cannot be ignored any longer. For too long, the struggles and silent sufferings of men and boys have been overlooked. This issue is deeply personal to me, and I believe it demands our urgent attention.
Boys and men are falling behind. With 50% of boys not finishing matric, young lives are being derailed before they've barely begun. This is compounded by the fact that in 2024 alone, there were 24,202 divorces, and 68% of children in Black communities grow up without their fathers at home. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent broken families, lost potential, and a society starved of strong male role models.
Moreover, men are frequently victims but suffer in silence. One in four men experience gender-based violence, yet their voices go unheard. Many grapple with debilitating emotional pain, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, unemployment, and social isolation, but there are few spaces and less encouragement for them to share these struggles or seek help.
I propose that we declare November as Men's Month in South Africa, with 21 November specifically acknowledged as Men's Day, to highlight and address these issues. By creating a national anonymous helpline for men facing GBV, mental health challenges, and thoughts of suicide, we can provide a crucial lifeline and signal to men that they matter.
Furthermore, we must institute a National 'Take a Boy Child to Work' day. This initiative will offer young boys the opportunity to envision a positive future and understand the value they bring to society as empowered, accomplished men.
Finally, a national policy focused on the well-being of men and boys can address these issues on a systemic level, ensuring they receive the attention they deserve in public discourse, policy-making, and community planning.
Together, these steps can reverse the troubling trends we see and foster a healthier, more supportive environment for men and boys in South Africa. Let us stand united in building a society that values and uplifts men and boys by taking these actionable measures.
Please sign this petition to show your support for Men's Month in South Africa and help us drive these vital changes for a better future.
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The Issue
Every day in South Africa, 23 men take their own lives – a staggering 10,861 fathers, brothers, and sons every year. Men account for 79% of all suicides in our country, revealing a crisis that cannot be ignored any longer. For too long, the struggles and silent sufferings of men and boys have been overlooked. This issue is deeply personal to me, and I believe it demands our urgent attention.
Boys and men are falling behind. With 50% of boys not finishing matric, young lives are being derailed before they've barely begun. This is compounded by the fact that in 2024 alone, there were 24,202 divorces, and 68% of children in Black communities grow up without their fathers at home. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent broken families, lost potential, and a society starved of strong male role models.
Moreover, men are frequently victims but suffer in silence. One in four men experience gender-based violence, yet their voices go unheard. Many grapple with debilitating emotional pain, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, unemployment, and social isolation, but there are few spaces and less encouragement for them to share these struggles or seek help.
I propose that we declare November as Men's Month in South Africa, with 21 November specifically acknowledged as Men's Day, to highlight and address these issues. By creating a national anonymous helpline for men facing GBV, mental health challenges, and thoughts of suicide, we can provide a crucial lifeline and signal to men that they matter.
Furthermore, we must institute a National 'Take a Boy Child to Work' day. This initiative will offer young boys the opportunity to envision a positive future and understand the value they bring to society as empowered, accomplished men.
Finally, a national policy focused on the well-being of men and boys can address these issues on a systemic level, ensuring they receive the attention they deserve in public discourse, policy-making, and community planning.
Together, these steps can reverse the troubling trends we see and foster a healthier, more supportive environment for men and boys in South Africa. Let us stand united in building a society that values and uplifts men and boys by taking these actionable measures.
Please sign this petition to show your support for Men's Month in South Africa and help us drive these vital changes for a better future.
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Petition created on 4 August 2026