For the past two years, the Mikhulu Child Development Trust has been encouraging fathers to be more involved and present in their young children’s lives through a specialised parenting programme for fathers called “Time with Dad” or “Ixesha lam noTata“. This programme was developed from the original “Book-sharing for Families” initiative, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town and Sonke Gender Justice. The Mikhulu Trust has partnered with various community-based organisations that work with fathers and has trained facilitators to organise group book-sharing sessions with men all over the Western Cape Province.

While the Mikhulu Trust continues to implement the Fatherhood Book-sharing Programme within community-based organisations (CBOs), we have identified an additional sector where men could benefit from learning the book-sharing techniques: the formal workplace.

For our pilot project, we approached Vector Logistics in Cape Town, where 13 fathers with children ages one to two years, signed up for the book-sharing training they were offered. Weekly training sessions were held over six weeks during business hours, where participants practised book-sharing techniques under the guidance of the teacher trainer.

The training is based on adult education ideas, one of which is that fathers should put what they have learned into practice during the session before leaving. These principles help adults adopt new behaviours more quickly. We also equipped each dad with a selection of wordless picture books and encouraged them to visit their local library to get additional books.

Employers who prioritise their staff members’ challenges and well-being, demonstrate a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. By offering programmes like the Fatherhood Book-sharing Programme, employers can provide resources and support for fathers to develop their parenting skills, strengthen family relationships, and navigate the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities.

Moreover, investing in programmes promoting positive fatherhood experiences can have long-term benefits for employees and employers. Research has shown that involved fathers tend to be more engaged and satisfied with their jobs, leading to higher levels of productivity and retention, and hearing feedback from Vector Logistics, was our experience.

Family-related workplace initiatives are most often geared towards mothers and female caregivers, making the book-sharing training a unique opportunity for men. In addition to having numerous life-changing benefits for the fathers involved, there are also several benefits for the company such as the following:

• Providing book-sharing training in the workplace demonstrates a commitment to supporting employees’ work-life balance. It acknowledges the importance of family involvement and provides opportunities for fathers to integrate parenting into their daily lives, even while at work.

• Offering programmes that support family engagement can boost employee morale and job satisfaction. Fathers appreciate employers who recognise and support their role as caregivers, leading to increased loyalty and engagement in the workplace.

• Promoting book-sharing among fathers contributes to gender equality by challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. It sends a message that caregiving is not the sole responsibility of mothers and encourages the active involvement of fathers in childcare.

• Book-sharing initiatives in the workplace can create a sense of community among fathers. It provides a platform to share experiences, exchange parenting tips, and support each other in their caregiving journey. It also provides space for fathers to discuss what being a father means and their experiences both of being fathered and being a father.

• Companies that prioritise family-friendly policies and initiatives, such as book-sharing training for fathers, enhance their public image and demonstrate corporate social responsibility. It can attract top talent and improve relationships with customers and stakeholders.

The pilot project was a tremendous success and we aim to partner with additional companies in future and train fathers on the book-sharing programme within the workplace.

Employers can build stronger families, happier employees, and a more productive workforce by partnering with organisations like Mikhulu Trust and implementing initiatives like the Fatherhood Book-sharing Programme. It is a win-win situation that reflects a holistic approach to employee well-being and organisational success.

With colourful pictures, fun stories, and interactive conversations, parents can give their children experiences that help them develop language skills, think critically, and be creative. By participating in book-sharing training, employees can learn how to better engage their young children, benefiting their development and positively impacting future generations.