ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, November 23, 2014 –GIS: The Ministry of Social Development and Housing, Division of Gender and Family Affairs, hosted a Symposium for young men and boys from Secondary Schools across the island in commemoration of International Men’s Day, held annually on 19 November.
The theme of the symposium was ‘Stepping out into the Light and Becoming Champions for Change’. The emphasis was on perceptions of masculinities and ending the triangle of violence.
Thirteen (13) schools participated in the event. The symposium was held on Wednesday, November 19 at the Youth Development Center.
The feature presenter for the session was Mr. Amilcar Sanatan, graduate student and research assistant at the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, UWI, St, Augustine. Mr. Sanatan is also an Interdisciplinary Artist in Men and Masculinities at the institute, with research interest focus on Caribbean Culture, Gender and Development.
Other events held during the week were;
- A recorded radio interview with George Grants that was replayed on various radio stations on November 19
- Discussion with young men in the Imani and MAREP Programmes at Bain’s Hall in Grenville, held on Monday, November 17
- Discussion with Boys at New Life Organisation held on Tuesday, November 18
- Radio Discussion on WEE FM Radio “Gender Talk” on Thursday, November 20
The final activity was a Group Engagement for men who work at the Ministerial Complex on Friday, November 21 at the Gazebo, Botanical Gardens.
Grenada Chapter of the Caribbean Male Action Network (CariMAN), Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA), and the Grenada National Organisation of Women (GNOW) were local partnres with the Ministry for the events, with support received from UN Women and the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
The Ministry plans to continue to engage men and boys across various communities and age groups in Grenada on the notion of masculinity. The dialogue is based on Human Rights and Responsibility, zeroing in on the male perspective. Engaging men and boys will contribute to the Ministry’s continuing work to promote gender equality and equity in Grenada.
