When we received the brief to develop a campaign to help reduce gender-based violence in South Africa for HeCareZA (a programme developed by the Centre for Analytics & Behavioural Change to help men become better husbands/partners and fathers, and in turn, better members of society), we knew that Under the Microscope was the right platform to deliver complex messages about men’s mental health and its link to GBV.

Episode 3 dealt with the topic of misogyny, defined as the “hatred and prejudice of women”. Riaad talks about the male-dominated system that has existed for thousands of years and which has resulted in the delusional belief that men are superior to women. The episode sparked lively debates on YouTube and Facebook, with many commenting that men are naturally designed to be physically stronger than women. We welcome these discussions and engagement, as that is the series’ purpose: to foster constructive dialogues around topics that affect our everyday lives and provoke a change of heart, mind, and ultimately, behaviour.