GAUTENG, Pretoria, 24 March 2026
As part of strengthening intergenerational dialogues on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, the Department of Social Development will host a two-day Mother and Daughter as well as a Father and Son engagement from 25 and 26 March 2026, at Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.
This dialogue seeks to strengthen intergenerational relations and improve communication between young and old generations on matters of sexual and reproductive health rights, mental health, and related social challenges affecting adolescents.
South Africa continues to face high rates of teenage pregnancy, exposure to early age sexual intimacy, as Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is linked to minimal parent and child communication on sexual and reproductive health conversations.
The Department’s reproductive justice strategy prioritises the need for safe and supportive spaces for families to openly discuss sensitive topics and develop practical ways to strengthen relationships.
The conversation is a continuation of the national implementation of the Mother and Daughter / Father and Son Programme, which already took place in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape provinces.
Recent programme cycles have shown strong demand among parents and young people for guided conversations, psychosocial support, and accurate sexual and reproductive health rights information.
It is also in line with South Africa’s commitments under SheDecides, a global movement championing bodily autonomy and gender equality. As a national SheDecides Champion, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, continues to advance initiatives that promote informed decision-making and empower young people.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Mother and Daughter / Father andSon Programme planned as follows:Date: 25 – 26 March 2026Time: 09h00Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng Province