Emmanuel Kafe
CHURCHES are stepping up efforts to tackle gender-based violence by creating platforms for men to confront issues such as anger, emotional control and mental health, amid growing concern over fatal cases of domestic violence.
United Family International Church (UFIC) this weekend hosted the second edition of its Men’s Conference, bringing together men from across Southern Africa and countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Germany.
Held under the theme, “Forging Real Men”, the two-day conference was hosted by UFIC leader and founder Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, who shared what the church described as divine and practical wisdom aimed at helping men build stronger families and communities.
The conference placed particular emphasis on GBV, with participants discussing how men can better manage their emotions and avoid violent reactions during conflicts.
UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufa said there was a need for more platforms where men could openly discuss challenges affecting them, particularly mental health.
“Firstly, it is important to note that women gather at almost all levels; they gather. And what has been lacking on the men’s part is that we don’t gather as much as we should,” Pastor Kufa said.
He said the conference, now in its second edition, was expected to grow as more men recognised the importance of coming together to address social challenges.
“But concerning the issues that have been raised, I think the outstanding issue was the gender-based violence, how we ought to control ourselves as men and how we can improve our society, take our real position as men in society,” he said.
The conference comes against the backdrop of several reported cases of couples killing each other in recent weeks, bringing renewed attention to the need for interventions that address the causes and triggers of domestic violence.
Pastor Kufa said men needed to avoid making decisions while consumed by anger, urging them to pause before reacting.
“You heard from one speaker, I think it was yesterday, who said before reacting, at least taking 10 seconds would do the trick,” he said.
“So we don’t need to react then and then, we need to settle down, think about the whole thing and then act.”
He said gatherings such as the conference could help men approach conflicts more strategically rather than emotionally.
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