The Art of Manhood Today

That is the essence behind this year's theme celebrating International Men's Day.

"Keeping Men & Boys Safe"

• tackling male suicide
• keeping men and boys safe to allow them to become tomorrow's role models.
• end tolerance of violence towards men and boys
• boost men's life expectancy by keeping men and boys safe from avoidable illness.
• keeping men and boys safe by promoting fathers and male role models.

International Men's Day was first initiated by the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.  Today, it has grown in popularity and is celebrated throughout the world.

SO WHAT CAUSED THE MEN OF THIS NATION TO TAKE THIS ACTION?

While the idea of having an observance day for men had been branded about since the 1960's, Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a professor at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad, took it upon himself to put the talk into action, paving the way for male role models to teach young boys.  The initiative was supported by UNESCO and has grown in country participation annually.


MAIN OBJECTIVES OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

• focus on men's and boy's health
• improving gender relations
• promoting gender equality
• highlighting positive male role models
• highlighting discrimination among men and boys
• celebrate achievements particularly contributions to community, family, marriage and child care.
• broader and ultimate aim is to promote basic humanitarian values.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO TURN BOYS INTO MEN TODAY?

1 - Raising boys with a sense of purpose

The generational gap between the technologically savvy boys versus the men of today, already divides the platform so that it is unequal and ultimately uncomfortable to communicate.  Men must find a way to reach into the dynamism that will make the world a "smarter" place and help shape it in the values that will make it a better world for all of us.

2 - Leading the campaign for change

There are many issues that affect the male gender which are either deemed insignificant and therefore downplayed or plainly ignored.  We have forever accepted men as protectors and providers and to believe that they are anything less seems to suggest a level of weakness that does not align with our beliefs.  The issues however, are not that simple and in fact, suggest nothing more than the fact that men are human and grapple with issues that need to be dealt with.

3 - Showcasing male champions all year long

One of the basic mistakes made by many groups and their singular day observances, is that it takes a full year to bring the issues back into focus.  The ground lost in many instances cannot be regained.  In many ways it requires starting all over again.  The more frequently the application, the more likely it will be to take root and reproduce.