Preventing gender based violence is one of our main goals. Through mentoring in the community and forming alliances with like-minded organizations, we foster positive qualities such as integrity, change, respect, passion and leadership in young men.

Gender power inequities play a key role in the rapid spread of HIV through their effects on sexual relationships. In South Africa, existing gender related norms all too often encourage men to engage in high-risk behaviors. Multiple partners are condoned and encouraged for men, while women are expected to be monogamous and unquestioning of their partner’s behavior. The existing machismo and patriarchal practices offer men the power to initiate and dictate the terms of sex, while women’s refusal or negotiation often results in violence.

In order to effectively impact change in the region, we have formed a partnership with Sonke Gender Justice Network, an organization dedicated to achievement of gender equality, and prevention of gender based violence.

Through working in urban and rural areas across Southern Africa and using a human rights framework, Sonke is committed to challenging the gender roles and inequalities that contribute to the rapid spread of HIV and exacerbate the impact of AIDS.

The One Man Can campaign is now implemented in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces is being rolled out in a number of countries in Southern Africa including: Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Lesotho, Botswana and Zambia.

“The campaign promotes the idea that each one of us has a role to play, that each one of us can create a better, more equitable and more just world. At the same time, the campaign encourages men to work together with other men and with women to take action - to build a movement, to demand justice, to claim our rights and to change the world.”

The One Man Can Action Kit provides men with resources to act on their concerns about domestic and sexual violence. It will be useful for any man concerned about these issues, as well as for representatives from government, NGOs and community groups who work with men and women to address issues of gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.