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.
The project aims to:
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Bring about gender equitable parenting.
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Highlight the importance of a father’s engagement with his child in terms of the child’s development and the father’s mental wellness.
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Prepare men mentally and emotionally for the birth of the child.
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Increase understanding between men and women, thereby reinforcing a gender equitable relationship within the couple.
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Put the rights of the child at the centre.
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Highlight the child’s right to connect with both the mother and father.
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Inspire fathers to share time with the child.
The project consists of five sessions:
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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.
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Session 2: Understand children’s behavior
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Session 3: Understanding children’s feeling and managing their own
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Session 4: Building children’s self esteem
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Session 5 : Communication skills
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.
