The Department of Counselling Services’ Family Resource Centre (FRC) is celebrating International Men’s Day this month with several interactive events highlighting this year’s theme of “Celebrating Men and Boys.”

International Men’s Day 2017 observance will kick off locally on Sunday, 5 November 2017 with the Celebrate Men and Boys Church Service at 10 a.m., Savannah United Church. The service will confirm the importance of male role models for children and families and also encourage men and boys to appreciate the value of positive behaviours to their health, and to that of communities.

An International Men’s Day Roundtable will be hosted by Rooster 101, at 7.30 a.m. on Friday, 17 November. The forum will bring together men and boys to discuss male health issues, highlight male achievements at home, in their families/partnerships, while looking at obstacles men sometimes face.

To highlight the significance of men and boys enhancing bonding with relatives during leisure time, the FRC’s final event to mark the observance is International Men’s Day Family Day on Saturday, 18 November. The event, which will be held at Kings Sports Centre, 3.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. will feature free bowling, rock climbing and skating facilities to provide men with opportunities to further bond with their children.

“The objectives of International Men’s Day 2017 will focus largely on promoting men’s and boy’s health, highlighting positive male role models and improving gender relations,” said Minister for Health Hon. Dwayne Seymour.

“The observance is a chance to take stock of male achievements and contributions, while looking at obstacles, especially with regards to male behaviours that impact community, family, marriage, and childcare.”

DCS Director Judith Seymour agreed. “Our International Men’s Day events will highlight the positive contributions of males in society and acknowledge the challenges inherent in being male today,” she said. “Discrimination that some males experience is not often discussed widely. This year’s events will open up this conversation and look at other aspects of the male condition, providing forums for consideration and action.”

“As a community, we must do more to promote gender equality,” said FRC’s Acting Programmes Coordinator Charmaine Miller. “Studies show that men’s health, and therefore life expectancy, is lower than women’s globally. Males are also 95 per cent more likely than women to succumb to work-related fatalities. Also, surveys highlight the gender gap in educational attainment with boys and men trailing behind females. Events celebrating International Men’s Day will give us all plenty of opportunity to promote male role models while addressing issues that don’t always get an equal airing.”

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IMAGE: Daily Mirror UK