Calls for psychological and other health services to be expanded to cater for males were raised at the ‘national men’s Parliament’ convened at the National Council of Provinces on Monday, with one speaker saying men’s issues were seldom touched upon and another taking responsibility for youngsters’ behaviour.
“We have awareness of children and women all over the government’s calendar, but men’s mental health problems are not brought to light …and must have attention,” said traditional leader Michael Madiele from Bakwena Wellhouse.
TimesLIVE reports that speaking for the Western Cape men’s health sector, Simo Sithandathu told the house that “men are hardly reached”. “When you speak of men-friendly services, there are only two male clinics in Khayelitsha and none in other townships in this country.
“Young girls start going to the clinic at age 9-10. Where does the young boy go? If we want to win the battle, we must introduce boys to the clinic system,” he said.
Emannuel Komape from the men’s forum in Gauteng said it was difficult for men to speak out, while Meshack Oupa Baloyi from Gauteng asked: “Where are we as fathers?”
“Our children are being taught by the streets, they are being taught by the television and the cellphone, the devices we buy for them,” he said, citing the absence of men as a reason for children's disrespect and bad behaviour.
“Remember, we walked out on them. We walked out of their lives, we walked out of their mothers’ lives. I am proud to support the men’s sector, but we are not doing enough.”
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