From Ministry of Health & Wellness

Grand Cayman, 17 November 2021 – The Cayman Islands is joining the global observation of International Men’s Day on 19 November, with the Family Resource Centre (FRC) hosting the 10th Annual International Men’s Day celebration in the Cayman Islands.

Inaugurated in 1999, International Men’s Day (IMD) focuses on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality and highlighting positive male role models.

This year’s theme is “Better Relations between Men and Women”.

Minister of Health & Wellness Hon. Sabrina Turner said, “This is an occasion to celebrate the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. International Men’s Day celebrates ‘everyday men’ and their contributions to society, community, family, marriage, childcare, and the environment. Observed in over 90 countries, IMD resonates with both men and women. It promotes positive male role models living decent, honest lives and also does its part in highlighting male-related issues such as discrimination against men in areas of social services, social attitudes and law, among others.”   

The Family Resource Centre has organised several activities in honour of this year’s International Men’s Day.

These include the Third Annual Men & Boys Basketball Tournament, which is a 3×3 Basketball Tournament where men and boys play on the same team, encouraging camaraderie as well as fun and healthy interaction. The tournament will take place on Saturday, 20 November at the outdoor courts of the Camana Bay Sports Complex.

An International Men’s Day Roundtable Discussion on Friday, 19 November on Radio Cayman’s Talk Today will encourage men and boys to “Join the Conversation” in a featured broadcast to celebrate men’s achievements and raise awareness of the gender-related issues they often face.

IMD Dress for a Cause on Friday, 19 November will provide an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for programmes and services supporting men’s well-being. Businesses and the community may get involved by purchasing an IMD shirt from the FRC, organising a dress-down day within their own entity and where possible, making a donation to the FRC.

An Island-Wide International Men’s Day Sales Event, on Friday, 19 November (IMD) will allow local shoppers to enjoy discounts and special offers from their favourite businesses. This event is endorsed by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce.

A parenting webinar focusing on “Raising Resilient Boys” will help equip parents with knowledge and skills specific to raising boys to become healthy, well-adjusted young men. The webinar will be on Tuesday, 30 November at 6:00 p.m. Specially invited guests will provide specific tips for raising boys.

There will be a virtual component to the activities as well, with a #thePowerofMen social media competition, which is a social media challenge to celebrate and highlight positive male role models within their daily lives. To take part, members of the community are asked to capture and post a video or photo of a positive male role model within their life who has contributed to who they are today. Each post is to tag the FRC @frccayman. The post which receives the most likes at 11:59 on 30, wins! The winner will be announced on 1 December.

Charmaine Miller, Clinical Supervisor at the Family Resource Centre said, “The FRC is proud to be expanding the number of activities surrounding this global campaign and is excited to have increased the services offered to men and boys to meet greater demand. The FRC remains committed to servicing family needs within the Cayman Islands and we have long recognised that in order to effectively do so, the unique challenges men face must be acknowledged and given due attention.” 

Director of the Department of Counselling Services Judith Seymour said, “It’s very important that we in the Cayman Islands participate in the global dialogue that International Men’s Day facilitates on creating a nurturing and empowering world for men and boys. Mothers of boys in today’s world, even here in our small community, are keenly aware of the unique pressures facing our young men. And also, our older men too. International Men’s Day has created and supported initiatives around the world which improve the way we address and resolve men’s unique mental and physical health issues. I’m happy to see this take root locally as we improve access to the essential tools men and boys need to empower themselves. Stronger men can only help strengthen our community as a whole.”

For further details on all activities surrounding the local International Men’s Day campaign, please visit the Family Resource Centre website at frc.gov.ky, follow the FRC on social media, email [email protected] or call 949-0006.