Cayman marks International Men’s Day
Men and boys take the International Men’s Day pledge at last year’s observance
(CNS): To mark the fifth year Cayman is celebrating International Men’s Day, the Family Resource Centre (FRC) is hosting a free event today (Thursday, 19 November) at King’s Sports Centre from 4pm-8pm. With activities focused on “Making a Difference for Men and Boys”, the FRC, under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Affairs, has organised an evening of bowling, rock climbing and skating.
Around the world, 60 countries will be observing International Men’s Day today.
In Cayman, men and boys will be the guests of honour at the King’s event, where FRC staff will be on hand to provide tips on how they can lead happier, healthier lives.
This is the third activity the FRC has organised this week to highlight the important role of men in the community and their contribution as fathers, grandfathers and role models.
On Wednesday, 18 November, FRC representatives and guests held a roundtable discussion on Radio Cayman’s lunchtime show, “Talk Today”. In the evening, the centre hosted a free workshop, “Raising Resilient Children”, an interactive family-skills session where parents and children worked together to unlock keys to overcoming different obstacles.
FRC coordinator Miriam Foster said, “In celebrating International Men’s Day, we hope to identify areas which we need to strengthen as a community. Hosting the events also serves to focus on men’s health and well-being, improve gender relations and improve gender equality. It can also help us to highlight discrimination against men and other male issues.”
The FRC is encouraging the public to visit its Facebook page and submit photos of men or boys making a difference in the community under #CaughtGivingBack.
“These events offer a forum for men to come together with their sons, grandsons, nephews or even younger relatives to help them form relationships and hopefully close any existing gaps, one family at a time,” said Foster.
According to the Family Resource Centre, without positive male role models:
- Boys commit suicide at a rate approximately 3.5 times that of girls.
- Boys experience socio-emotional difficulties but are less likely to receive treatment for mental health problems.
- Boys are three times more likely than girls to carry a weapon.
- Boys are more likely than girls to be involved – and injured – in physical fights.
- The use of alcohol and illegal drugs is higher among teen boys.
- Teen boys are more likely to have had four or more sexual partners than girls – and less likely to have been tested for HIV.
- Boys are more likely than girls to be the victims of serious violent crime.
- Male drivers will be involved in twice as many fatal crashes as females.
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