On October 30, 2025, South Africa's G20 Presidency hosted the critical Ministerial Dialogue on Positive Masculinity in Johannesburg, uniting global leaders, government ministers, and civil society under the theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. This full-day event was dedicated to elevating the transformation of masculinities from a national imperative to a core G20 policy priority for accelerating the end of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). 

The day began with a powerful Opening Plenary Session, setting the stage with leadership from the South African government and the international community.

• The session included an Opening Address by His Excellency, Deputy President Mr. Paul Mashatile.
• The Keynote Address was delivered by Honourable Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD). 

• A High-Level Roundtable featuring Ministers from G20 nations, including Ms. Lubna Jaffery (Norway), Mrs. Aurore Berge (France), and H.E. Márcia Helena Carvalho Lopes (Brazil), focused on translating G20 commitments into tangible action to end GBVF through patriarchal masculinities transformation.

The afternoon delved into concrete solutions through three dedicated parallel panel sessions. One of the most dynamic tracks was Thematic Track A: Transforming Workplaces, which focused on moving “From Compliance to Culture: Ending Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) in the World of Work.”

This session highlighted how powerful cross-sectoral partnerships are essential to drive change. The panel featured key leaders, including:

• Mr. Yu Yu, UNFPA South Africa Country Representative.
• Representatives from the GBVF Response Fund.
• Corporate and Labour leaders from Vodacom Group, COSATU, and Kearney South Africa.

UNFPA's Mr. Yu Yu shared critical global best practices, emphasizing the replicability of successful models:

"The 'Business Against Domestic Violence' (BADV) project has been supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Türkiye since its inception in 2013. It provided some good food for thought to the GBVF private sector coalition launched in SA by the GBVF Fund in partnership with JSE and UN agencies including UNFPA. Mauritius picks it up and launched its private sector coalition."

The Ministerial Dialogue concluded with a Closing Plenary Session, where Rapporteurs presented the consolidated recommendations and insights generated from the intensive day of discussions. These concrete commitments will inform the G20 agenda, paving the way for policies that champion positive masculinity and create truly caring, inclusive, and just societies.