#RiseGoodMen - #VoiceItInAction
#RiseGoodMen - #VoiceItInAction
AN OPEN LETTER TO SOUTH AFRICAN MEN – ARISE, MEN OF CHARACTER
By Ms. Phumelela Malaza (A Survivor – 2021)
ARISE, OUR NATION NEEDS YOU. ARISE, THE WORLD NEEDS YOU.
We acknowledge that not all men are perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence. We recognise and celebrate the men among you who are protective, supportive, accountable, responsible, loving, kind, principled and humane. We honour the Men of Character who continue to uphold what is morally and ethically honourable—both in private and in public. You are the men who stand tall even in a time like this, a time when GBV has been declared a pandemic in our country.
Men of Character, we urge you to arise! Our young boys need you. Our youth, our families, our communities need you. It still takes a village to raise a child—especially now, when we see a rise in child-headed households. There is an even greater need for fathers and positive male role models in our society. We call on you to extend yourselves and share your love beyond your immediate families, becoming reflections of God’s love to humanity. Strive to love and protect unconditionally wherever you go. Help us rekindle the spirit of Ubuntu in our nation.
How you live your life matters. How you conduct yourself in society matters. Your life can be the book that inspires the change we long to see in our communities. There is no greater power than love—no force more unifying for families, communities, our nation, and the world. Love crosses religion, culture, colour, and borders. Let us learn to love one another, to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Only then can we truly care for the wellbeing of every human being and show compassion for their struggles.
We also acknowledge that among you are many men who are victims and survivors of GBV, yet have suffered in silence. Some have even been labelled as perpetrators, though they, too, come from families and communities—families that may have been shaped by abusive parents, grandparents, stepparents, adoptive parents, uncles, aunts, pastors or pastor’s wives. No one is born a perpetrator. The fight to end GBV begins with confronting societal ills openly and courageously. We cannot heal what we refuse to confront.
Help us create a safer society for ALL South Africans and for future generations. Take action when you witness GBV—action that is preventative, not violent. Stand with us in eradicating this pandemic. We cannot curb the rise in GBV without you. We cannot end GBV without you.
ARISE, MEN OF CHARACTER.
ARISE—OUR NATION NEEDS YOU. ARISE—THE WORLD NEEDS YOU.
The #RiseGoodMen Campaign is a direct response to the Women’s Shutdown on 21 November 2025—an urgent national call to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The campaign aims to mobilise 250,000 men across South Africa, challenging them to commit to three core actions that promote sustained, meaningful involvement in the fight against GBVF.
This initiative aligns with and supports national government efforts, including the National Disaster Declaration on GBVF announced by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa.
We also aim for 21 November to be recognised as a national public holiday—a day that honours men who have taken a stand against GBVF in response to the Women’s Shutdown, and a day that encourages more men to rise, change, and become good men. #VoiceItInAction - Sign and Share Our #RiseGoodMen #NationalMensDay Petition: https://c.org/L65qcjnJh6
Link to posters/pictures, videos and additional information for online publications: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19yCziDx_5156vvnOuVF55Tuij3f8CQDi
Participants commit to:
Purple & white digital profiles during the 16 Days of Activism - Annually
Posting personalised pledge posters
Signing the National Pledge and Petition
Each participant contributes R67 per month for 12 months, supporting:
999 Youth Employment Opportunities
#ProjectZero at all SAPS stations
A national GBVF digital monitoring platform
Participants commit to:
Join their local CPF
Participate in monthly community safety initiatives
Support SAPS, local NGOs, and community partners
Participate and Pledge – A call to 250,000 men
Volunteer or Join the Team
Partner with the initiative
Contribute to ensure the fight remains consistent and sustainable
Commit to participate in the First and Third Activities.
Second Activity: Pledge Your Financial Support. We need 250,000 men to commit to supporting the fight against GBVF for 12 months by contributing R67 per month (R67 × 12 months). Your support will assist in implementing the following initiatives:
Creation of 999 Youth Employment Opportunities for 12 months, with a 50% / 45% / 5% allocation.
999 creating 3,462 CSO collaborations (1154 Police Stations * 3 Entities), resulting in an additional 10,386 youth people being given opportunities.
Implementation of #ProjectZero at all police stations, along with additional initiatives carried out by the 999 youth in collaboration with various entities, contributing to 365 days of Activism.
Development of technological platforms to support information sharing, activity tracking, updates, and follow-ups on GBVF cases and related challenges—similar to the COVID-19 live-stats applications that provided daily statistics and location-based insight.
Share your ideas, promote activities, invite other entities, and participate in campaigns and on-the-ground initiatives.
Volunteers play an active role in planned activities and help us reach 250,000+ men to participate and pledge their support.
Become a Representative and be part of the 999 Youth Employment Campaign.
Representatives go beyond participation—they contribute to planning, implementation, and the monitoring of Voice It In Action solutions and activities.
Partners are invited to assist and support with resources, services, and/or facilities, and to participate in amplifying and promoting the messages created and shared.
A call to Civil Society Organisations: At least 3 organisations per police station, across all 1,154 police stations in South Africa.
A call to 1,000+ Private Sector Entities to join and support the initiative.
A call to National, Provincial, and Local Government Entities and Departments to participate and collaborate.
Any contributions toward this initiative are welcome. Donation or contribution certificates for tax rebate purposes will be issued upon request.
Voice It In Action: +27 68 274 9877 | info@viia.org.za OR
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