A Sesame Workshop International South Africa initiative offers a powerful, practical solution to gender-based violence: engaged fatherhood.

South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis is rooted in childhood. By age five, 83% of children have already witnessed or experienced violence, according to research by Professor Kirsten Donald and Lucinda Tsunga, from the University of Cape Town.

The earliest years – from birth to age eight – are vital for a child’s growth and wellbeing. Support and prevention cannot be postponed until they are older; it must begin in infancy, in the playroom, and in the simple, everyday experiences of childhood.

building strong families

Dr Onyinye Nwaneri, managing director of Sesame Workshop International South Africa, unpacks the details of a groundbreaking initiative that helps build strong families and supports South Africa’s gender-based violence strategy.

hands-on fatherhood

Sesame Workshop International South Africa (SWISA), the home of Takalani Sesame’s Transforming Gender Norms programme, invited 1 200 biological and social fathers to step off the sidelines and onto the play mat with their young children. Over 12 weeks, these men learned to play, read and bond with children from birth to eight years of age.

Find out more about the benefits of fathers reading with their children

An independent evaluation found that fathers became more confident and joyful in parenting and spent more time in meaningful interactions with their children. Notably, time constraints remained a challenge – 71% of fathers initially cited “lack of time” as a key barrier – but the project made play feel possible and rewarding for fathers. In short, it proved that even busy fathers can find ways to be present once they see the benefit.

the impact

The impact was twofold: children thrived, and stereotypes crumbled. Children began seeing fathers as real playmates. Young children whose default was to run to their mothers started including fathers in their games.

At the same time, rigid gender roles in the home began to soften. Mothers and fathers were more likely to agree that “girls can play with cars and boys can play with dolls,” embracing the idea that chores and play aren’t automatically “for mothers” or “for fathers”. In households with engaged fathers, girls kicked soccer balls and boys baked pretend cakes with their fathers – all with giggles and confidence.

co-parenting

Importantly, involved fatherhood also started to foster true co-parenting. Many fathers in the study reported feeling more supported by their partners as they stepped up at home. Mothers, however, did not report a similar increase in support – a reminder that real partnership is a two-way street.

Fathers must fully share the load so that mothers also feel they have back-up and are less alone. The goal is a mutually beneficial rhythm: a family where both parents support each other, and the children reap the rewards.

Read more about how fathers can help with breastfeeding.

When fathers share parenting from the start, the whole family wins. Research shows that when violence or neglect is prevented in the first years, children develop better mentally and emotionally. In fact, global experts note that interventions that reduce domestic violence and strengthen parenting skills can protect children and adults.

the first line of defence against violence

Engaged fatherhood does exactly that. A dad who is changing nappies, telling bedtime stories and calming tantrums is also far less likely to be a perpetrator of violence – he’s practising empathy and patience daily. His children grow up safer, smarter, stronger and kinder, with a model of masculinity that rejects aggression and embraces care. His partner experiences less stress and more stability. In a country where violence has become “a normal part of growing up” for too many kids, an active, loving father can be the first line of defence, read more here.

a society-wide shift

South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) calls for a society-wide effort to end gender-based violence. Engaging fathers in caregiving is exactly that – a society-wide shift that starts in each home. We need to scale up what works.

• Policymakers should invest in fatherhood programmes that show proven impact.
• Employers should expand paternity leave and encourage father-friendly parenting workshops.
• Community and religious leaders can celebrate hands-on fathers and challenge the notion that child-rearing is a mother’s job alone.
• Every father – across South Africa and the African continent – must rise to the occasion. Lay aside the old, harmful gender stereotypes and embrace the moments that matter, from birth through a child’s developmental years.

This is a call to action rooted in both compassion and hard evidence.

Our children’s earliest years set the trajectory for life. If we want to break the cycles of violence and inequality, we start at home with fathers. A father reading a bedtime story or playing peek-a-boo might seem simple – but it’s nation-building in action. It’s how we nurture a generation that knows love instead of fear. It’s how we ensure that no child has to face the world without a protector.

When fathers step up, families grow stronger. And when families grow stronger, nations heal.