Fatherhood Project

The fatherhood Project is part of a larger global campaign called Men Care.  The Western Cape initiative is a joint venture between the Sonke Gender Trust and Families South Africa Western Cape. 

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The project aims to:

• Bring about gender equitable parenting.

• Highlight the importance of a father’s engagement with his child in terms of the child’s development and the father’s mental wellness.

• Prepare men mentally and emotionally for the birth of the child.

• Increase understanding between men and women, thereby reinforcing a gender equitable relationship within the couple.

• Put the rights of the child at the centre.

• Highlight the child’s right to connect with both the mother and father.

• Inspire fathers to share time with the child.

The project consists of five sessions:

• Session 1: The difference between a father and a man. In this session we look at different roles fathers play in their children’s lives.

• Session 2:  Understand children’s behavior

• Session 3: Understanding children’s feeling and managing their own

• Session 4: Building children’s self esteem

• Session 5 : Communication skills

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We aim to achieve these goals through creating a space (small facilitated groups) where men can engage each other and the facilitator around these key issues.  Groups are held in venues that are easily accessible to their community.