Close to 100 men filled the maternity unit of the Michael Mapongwana Community Health Clinic in Khayelitsha (Cape Town, South Africa) on Friday, June 13th. The clinic staff declared it the first time so many men occupied the maternal unit at the same time, an exciting start as they try to get men more involved in parenting and maternal health.
Sonke Gender Justice and MOSAIC, who co-coordinate MenCare+ South Africa, which promotes male involvement in healthy and positive parenting, maternal and child health and equitable relationships, are working with the clinic to involve more men, and many of the men who were at the event are involved in MenCare+ fathers’ groups.
The event was an early Father’s Day celebration and speakers included MenCare+ leaders and representatives from the Department of Health, who said that Father’s Day celebrates fathers being positive and active members of their families.