Held on April 10, 2025, the Advocacy and Networking Event organized by Sesame Workshop International South Africa (SWISA) and supported by the Oak Foundation brought together stakeholders to spotlight the transformative impact of father engagement on gender norms and child wellbeing. The event showcased findings from a robust mixed-method impact evaluation, emphasising how play-based interactions between fathers and children can shift attitudes and behaviours toward greater gender equity.

Key highlights included:

• Ipsos Evaluation Results: Quantitative and qualitative data revealed statistically significant increases in father engagement and shifts in children’s perceptions of gender roles.
• Social Media Reach: The campaign hashtag #SWSAAdvocacyEvent helped connect with grassroots organisations and individuals not typically reached through traditional channels.
• Networking Outcomes: Attendees reported meaningful new connections, including with community-based organisations and high-profile stakeholders like the CEO of Harambee and representatives from Baby Yum Yum.