Sharon Hammond
A support group for abused men has been established in Swaziland, which is regarded as one of the most macho countries in the world.
Reaction to the Swaziland Association for the Protection of Men (Sam) has been mixed since reports first hit the Internet this week. “What a load of crap!” wrote one Web reader.
Traditionally, Swazi men are the head of the home, and women are treated like children. Widows are not allowed to vote or be elected to Parliament and, if women enter politics, custom demands they kneel when addressing a meeting attended by men and chiefs.
But a Sam founder member, Bongani Mamba, says: “Although traditional Swazi society is male dominated, many men are forced by their wives to cook, wash dishes and babysit.”
Mamba says Sam will provide counselling and legal advice and will have traditional healers on hand to treat men who are abused because of their poor sexual performance.
Nonhlanhla Dlamini, programme manager for education at the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse, has welcomed Sam. She acknowledged that men are sometimes abused, and said some have approached her organisation for counselling for emotional abuse.
“We’ve never had men complain they are physically abused by women, but it could be because they are embarrassed, and if Sam makes them feel more comfortable in seeking help, then that’s good,” she says.