Intergenerational Dialogue on Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities, Johannesburg, South Africa

 

Thank you, Programme Directors: Advocate Joyce Maluleke and Dr. Matome Kganakga; 

Honourable Minister Chikunga; 

Your Royal Highnesses, Queens and Princesses present; Traditional Leaders, Faith Leaders, Government Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen, Young Persons 

 

Good morning to you all. 

 

On behalf of the United Nations family [especially leadership and colleagues from UNODC, UN Women, UNFPA, ILO, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNESCO etc.], it is an honour to join you today and share a message at this critical Intergenerational Dialogue on transforming patriarchal masculinities — on how we, individually and collectively, can instigate and leverage the necessary male allyship and positive masculine attitudes and behaviours that advance gender equality. 

 

Before my role as the UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, I am a son, a brother, an uncle, a traditional successor for the Muffuh clan — and a father to two young boys.  

 

Like many of you, I am deeply conscious of the influence that fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and male figures have in shaping the values and behaviours of the next generation. 

 

Every generation faces its own complexities, and today’s men and boys are growing up in a rapidly changing society — one that challenges old norms and demands new definitions of strength, care, and respect.  

 

These values are shaped early in life, which is why today’s dialogue must not be just another discussion.  

 

Across our societies, harmful norms and practices continue to undermine the dignity and rights of women and girls.  

 

This is not only a question of the predominant way of doing things—it is a question of justice, equality, and humanity.  

 

Patriarchal norms and toxic masculinities perpetuate cycles of violence and exclusion.  

 

They rob communities of potential and hold back progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.  

 

The cost is measured not only in lost opportunities but in lives diminished. 

 

But there is another path—a path of positive masculinity, rooted in respect, equality, and shared responsibility.  

 

A path where men and boys become champions of change, standing alongside women and girls to dismantle harmful practices and build inclusive societies. 

 

We cannot afford complacency.  

 

Now is the turning point for bold action — and this dialogue is an opportunity for transformation. 

 

A transformative push: 

• rds collective action to prevent Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). 

 

We must solidify our shared resolve to champion women’s rights — not as a separate agenda, but as a fundamental pillar of social justice, peace, and wellbeing for all. 

 

Making this a reality is not only a women’s issue — it is our shared responsibility. 

 

Minister, Majesties, Excellences, Distinguished Delegates, 

 

As part of the UN System-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, has issued a Clarion Call on Gender Equality — urging all UN leaders, especially men, to reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls amid an alarming global pushback against those very rights. 

 

As the Secretary-General’s latest SDG Progress Report makes clear, progress on gender equality is not only too slow, but is being actively undermined by persistent patriarchal attitudes and harmful masculinities. The report calls for transformative shifts in social norms—precisely the work we are gathered here to advance. 

 

South Africa’s own SDG and VNR reports recognise that our progress on gender equality is held back by entrenched patriarchal norms and toxic masculinities.  

 

Yet, they also highlight our leadership in pioneering positive masculinity frameworks and national strategies to end gender-based violence. 

 

Both the Secretary-General’s SDG Progress Report and South Africa’s own VNR are unequivocal: we cannot achieve gender equality or end gender-based violence without transforming the patriarchal norms and masculinities that underpin them.  

 

South Africa’s leadership in advancing the African Union’s Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls as well as the Positive Masculinity Framework is not just a policy milestone—it is a call to action for every man and boy to become a champion of change. 

 

These are historic milestones that recognise that men must be part of the solution — not on the periphery, but at the centre of change. 

 

As the G20 Presidency concludes in South Africa, this is a defining opportunity to elevate the discourse on positive masculinity — nationally, regionally, and globally. 

 

Distinguished guests, 

 

We know that patriarchy is not just a system that harms women and girls — it also limits men and boys, trapping them in rigid expectations that equate masculinity with dominance rather than empathy and equality.  

 

Transforming patriarchal masculinities is not about diminishing men; it is about liberating all of us — from the harmful norms that perpetuate a culture of violence, privilege, and exclusion. 

 

This transformation must also include the elimination of harmful practices — from child marriage and female genital mutilation to harmful male initiation approaches and the silencing of survivors.  

 

These practices, often rooted in culture or tradition, continue to rob girls and women of their agency, dignity, and futures — and they equally distort the meaning of manhood for boys.  

 

When we challenge and end harmful practices, we open the way for new, life-affirming traditions — ones that celebrate care, equality, and shared humanity. 

 

True progress requires collaboration amongst genders and meaningful engagement across ages and stakeholders, dismantling every barrier that limits the potential of half of our population. 

 

It is incumbent upon us to promote positive male allyship — to raise a generation of true HeForShe champions who embody accountability, dignity, responsibility, and empathy. 

 

With regard to my own two boys, I often ask myself whether I am instilling in them the values of integrity, honesty, and courage — the qualities that define not only good men but good citizens.  

 

I know that I was profoundly shaped by my own father’s example — his values, his worldview, and even his failures — all of which taught me resilience, humility, and respect for others. 

 

As a UN leader and as a man, I believe that when men and boys actively challenge inequality, speak against injustice, and share responsibility for progress, we create a more equitable world — one where everyone benefits. 

 

But change does not happen in isolation.  

 

It truly takes a village — a whole-of-society approach that brings together government, communities, civil society, academia, religious leaders, and the private sector.  

 

It requires policy shifts that translate into action — from our schools and workplaces to our homes, village halls, royal courtyards, and places of worship. 

 

This is not the work of one sector or one generation. It is a collective endeavour. Governments, traditional leaders, civil society, and young people must unite.  

 

Let us ensure that the outcomes of today’s dialogue inform not only the G20 Ministerial Summit, but also our daily actions. 

 

The United Nations in South Africa stands ready to accompany and support these effort.  

 

Together, we can transform norms and create a future where culture uplifts rather than oppresses. 

Minister, we will continue to work closely with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and all partners to advance a future where gender justice is a lived reality, not an aspiration. 

 

Let this dialogue be more than a moment — let it be a movement.  

 

A movement that bridges generations, transforms masculinities, and ensures that every boy and man learns that true strength lies not in power over others, but in partnership, care, and equality. 

 

In conclusion, I call upon each of us—across government, civil society, communities, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, and academia—to join hands in a united push for transformative change. Let us: 

• Foster positive masculinity at every level, from our homes and schools to workplaces, village halls, and beyond, nurturing environments where respect and equality are the norm. 

• Harness our collective resources and forge strong partnerships, scaling up innovative initiatives that challenge and eradicate harmful practices and attitudes wherever they persist. 

• Place the voices and leadership of youth and women at the heart of our efforts, ensuring their experiences and solutions guide policy and practice. 

• Translate our commitments into measurable outcomes, holding ourselves accountable and ensuring that our words are matched by sustained, meaningful action. 

Now is the time to move from words to deeds, from dialogue to delivery. Together, we can make gender justice and cultural transformation a reality for all. 

Thank You.