To commemorate June as Youth Month in South Africa, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has scheduled Conversations with Young Men, a series of talks that aim to accelerate positive youth development.
The initiative is centered on young men, who should be at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). The SAPS, using its Integrated Youth Crime Prevention Strategy, is bringing young men from all over South Africa together for conversations about GBV.
During the three-day Conversations with Young Men, various stakeholders will be deliberating on topics such as the prevention of GBV and femicide, as well as addressing drugs and substance abuse.
Other topics of conversation include dropout rates at schools and institutions of higher learning, programmes aimed at addressing dysfunctional families, poor parenting, and child-headed families. There will also be discussions on the effectiveness of diversion and rehabilitation programmes for young offenders.
The talks take place in Bloemfontein with several local and national dignitaries in attendance to encourage young men and better youth behavior in the country. Major General Thokozani Mathonsi, Head of Social Crime Prevention, delivered the welcoming address and called for stakeholders to find lasting solutions to GBV. Â Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, delivered the first keynote address, where she encouraged the young men to use the opportunity to engage on issues of GBV in order to encourage behavioural changes in society.
Watch along on the Official SAPS Twitter page (https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService), as the initiative ends on 23 June.
Compiled by Warren Hawkins
