Male pupils who father children while still at school may now ask to take a leave of absence until the address the prenatal and post-natal health concerns of their children. Report by Amelia Naidoo, The Mercury.

The Fatherhood Project is part of a social awareness programme under the wing of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa that aims to recognise, encourage and support men's care and protection of children.

Victor Matfield, the Springbok and Blue Bulls lineout king, and his wife, Monja, are celebrating the New Year with the birth of their first child, Jaime.

Fathers are more involved in their children's lives than ever before, and researchers are taking notice.

Masisukumeni Women’s Crisis Centre and Teaching Screens Productions have produced two documentary films that examine masculinity and men’s changing practices in post apartheid South Africa. Both films were funded by AusAID. Places are limited. Kindly register as soon as possible and at the latest by the 14th October. Flights and airport transfers will be paid for. Please note that only one representative from each organisation is invited.
Invitation
Registration form

Invitation to attend the Men and Masculinities Training Workshop hosted by Gender Education and Training Network (GETNET) held 24 - 26 October 2005 in Cape Town

A National Forum for male and female practioners, educators, trainers, managers and policymakers in early intervention and family-related services.
Brochure
Registration form

This article discusses issues around voluntary counselling for men who are HIV positive.

Are women more likely to suffer from depression than men, or are men simply not open about their sufferings? Major depression is twice as common in women as it is in men, according to statistics, and women dominate in nearly all the anxiety disorders

Dr Paul Irwing, a senior lecturer in organisational psychology at Manchester University, and Professor Richard Lynn of the University of Ulster found that genetic differences in intelligence between the sexes helped to explain why many more men than women won Nobel prizes or became chess grandmasters.

This year's Encounters documentary festival traverses the globe, says Matthew Krouse

A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society
Billy Graham

I am convinced love plays a crucial role in building and sustaining families. The symbolism behind the celebration of Father's Day should be our focus and not the materialistic view of what Father's Day is to some people, writes Mbuyiselo Botha.

More fathers witness the delivery of their children these days than back in the days of our forefathers. However, some men still perceive this act as taboo. Zinhle Dlamini spoke to four stars about their childbirth experiences.

Sunday Sun launches a new column as a platform for readers to speak out about violence perpetrated by them or against them.

If you are a dad who has never changed a nappy, chances are you are 60 years or older Are you a dad who changed nappies almost only when mum wasn't around? Chances are you are in your 50's If you have changed as many nappies as your wife, you are probably under 40 years of age and part of a new breed of men termed ‘hands-on’ dads.

An article about family murders in the black community.

As South Africa commemorates its tenth year of democracy as well as a decade of reconciliation and healing, the organisers of the festival invited academics, artists and members of the community to research and celebrate the unique role of the arts in the process of bringing together a divided society. The Fatherhood Project Exhibition was part of this Festival.

Involvement of partner in VCT increases uptake of interventions to prevent vertical and sexual HIV transmission

The Human Sciences Research Council and the Ford Foundation presented the country’s first Fatherhood Conference on the 24th November, 2004. During the day a range of speakers presented papers on different aspects of their involvement in the project, and about issues surrounding the project.
More information about the conference ...

The Fatherhood Project says goodbye to Andrew Meintjes

Andrew did all the scanning and printing for the Fatherhood Project. The professional photographers wanted him to do it because they trusted him to do the best with their work. We were glad we were led to him and that we had the benefit of his knowledge, humour and compassion. Julie and I got to know Andrew and we were fond of him and reassured by his expertise, as many people are. We will miss him

Jason Hatch puts dad's rights in the headlines by perching near Buckingham Palace's balcony dressed as batman.

Across Europe, desparate dads are taking dramatic action - on public landmarks and in the courts - to win the right to see their children.

Richie Walton, 17, is trying to set up a self-help group called Fathers in Your Hood to try to offer support and help to young fathers.

View article on the BBC News Online website

Draft programme of a seminar held 5 to 7 September 2004 in the Wiser Seminar Room, East Campus, University of Witwatersrand.

Delle Jacobson, who initiated and spearheaded the South African Navy's participation in the Fatherhood Project and is editor of the Navy's news magazine was nominated for outstanding personal achievement and community service.

As we celebrate 10 years of our democracy, we cannot escape the fact the many women and children find it difficult to make sense of such celebrations because they continually face the grim reality of gender-based violence writes Kealeboga Maphunye.

The country celebrates National Women's day tomorrow but very little has been done in gender relations in South Africa writes Heather Dugmore.

Fathers are too competative and find it hard to let kids win, says researchers.

Women are disproportionately vulnerable to poverty and maintenance payments are often the only source of household income.

Robbers, murderers and rapists locked up for life, give and receive hope to Aids orphans in an unconventional and groundbreaking prison initiative. Carte Blanche brings you their story.
Transcription of a Carte Blanche story presented 20 June 2004
Producer : Nicola de Chaud
Presenter : Ruda Landman

An article about a father who has not seen or spoken to his daughter in 12 years and would be overjoyed to receive a message on Father's Day.

HOPE worldwide together with their men as partners [Map] coalition hosted a Father's Day celebration at the Diepkloof community hall a on Saturday 19 June 2004.

The new fathers. Male children who experience violence are not doomed to repeat this pattern ... but they are in need of role models writes Tina Sideris.

Masculinity and fatherhood are social constructs that have changed dramatically in the past 50 years, under the impact of shifts in technology, patterns of employment and family structure. By setting out to redefine women’s identity, exponents of the new feminism have also challenged men to redefine themselves.

Link to article in Mail & Guardian, 18 to 24 June 2004 

Latest news from Fathers Direct 

The nature of fatherhood has changed dramatically – and it's time our male politicians acknowledged this. Comment piece in The Guardian, Tuesday 1 June and a letter to all Members of Parliament in London.

Invitation to attend the opening of Visions and Voices, Rights and Realities : Children in South Africa at The Durban Art Gallery and the Children's Rights Centre on Thursday 10 June 2004 at 18:00 at the Durban Art Gallery.

View the invitation

Any intervention or programme around gender and education needs to be informed by both theory as well as practical action, writed Janine Moolman

HARARE, 17 May (IRIN) – Zimbabwean men have become increasingly involved in caring for AIDS patients, challenging the stereotype that caring for the terminally ill is women's work.

"What Nobody Tells a New Father" guides a new dad through the mysterious world of the pregnancy, birth and early months of his first child, giving him insight into what he will encounter, with practical tips along the way.

Published in the New York Times, 21 April 2004, this article, written by Karen Spears expresses her experience as someone who lost her father in combat. She expresses her concern for families who have lost their fathers in action.

This seminar was one of several activities organised to coincide with the Fatherhood photographic exhibition showing at the SA Association of Arts gallery, from 23 March 2004 to 8 April 2004.

Fatherhood is inevitably intertwined with the process through which men come to an understanding of who they are and their sense of identity in society. The traditional understanding of identity formation in terms of intra-psychic unfolding of psychological processes from within, hinders the recognition of fatherhood as a social, moral, and relational process. It is argued that the socio-cultural tradition in psychology, with its emphasis on identity formation as a social, historical, political and ideological process, provides better conceptual tools to understand fatherhood, especially in contexts characterised by rapid social changes.

An invitation to the Fatherhood Project Photographic Exhibition which was held at the Association of Arts Gallery, Mackie Street, Pretoria, 24 March 2004

Postcard

Institutional sexism is damaging the educational prospects and social development of youngsters, according to research from a children's charity. The study, by Newcastle-based Children North East, says subconscious practices disregard the needs of men and fail to recognise the role of fathers.

An exhibition of art dolls and other works of art took place at Museum Africa on the 9 March 2004 to raise awareness on baby and child abuse.

Two award winning photographs published in the Sunday Tribune 15 February 2004 selected from the World Press Photo of the Year awards.

Photographic exhibition held at Austerville Municipal Library showcasing work from children and adults in the area.