Where are the good guys? To turn the tide on gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa it is key that men and women work together.

In South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on GBVF signed into force by the President in May 2020, one of the six pillars focuses on prevention and the need to shift from toxic masculinity and all that enables and upholds it. To discredit and discard toxic masculinities means that we need to have alternatives to consider and test out.

Cookie Edwards is the Executive Director of the KZN Network on Violence against Women. Having worked in the field of women’s rights for more than 25 years, her spheres of expertise include domestic violence, sexual and reproductive health, link between HIV and gender-based violence and environmental design for women’s safety in communities.

Imagine a 14-year-old girl sending nude photos to her boyfriend on her cell phone. Or a 15-year-old boy sending his nude photos to a ‘girl’ he has met online. This can lead to a journey of sheer hell if these photos are circulated and may haunt them forever.