The Department of Social Work wishes the university community a happy women’s month.

We celebrate the many successful women and women leaders who have shaped our profession and who serve our communities’ most vulnerable members.

It was an absolute coincidence that a few months ago, the department conceptualised a men’s dialogue series. Our inaugural event happened at the start of women’s month, on Thursday the 4^th of August 2022, with the title: “Being a MAN in Social Work: the start of a conversation.”  This was in partnership with the UNIZULU chapter of the South African Student Social Workers Association (SASSWA). We were not alone to start WOMEN’S month by focusing on MEN…. The institution hosted the “RES-TALK – BE A MAN” and the “Men’s Imbizo: Madoda Sabelani!!” events.

The social work men unpacked this paradox and identified the subtext: ‘Men are the problem…’.

Instead of celebrating the brilliant, strong, successful women at the start of woman’s month, these events highlighted men’s problematic behaviours that have a negative impact on the lives of women.

The patriarchy, toxic masculinity, lad culture, substance abuse and gender based violence are all unacceptable and must stop. The social work men students discussed how the marketing of these events had the potential of labelling all men as being part of the problem…: ‘all men are bad’. The label sticks, because many men do indeed behave badly.

The conversation concluded with the idea that men can remove the label from themselves individually by making healthy responsible choices and by treating women well.  The Social Work professional identity is shaped by the values and principles in the “Policy guidelines for course of conduct, code of ethics and the rules for social workers”. The social work profession requires integrity, honesty, empathy and communication. By developing these characteristics the social work men choose to remove the negative labels and choose to make good and healthy choices that will make them reliable and trusted men of integrity. The kind of men who honour and elevate women, and create positive safe spaces where woman can thrive.

Happy women’s month.   

• John V. Rautenbach