A week dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions and challenges faced by men in society kicked off on Sunday with the “Men with a purpose a National March” in Port of Spain.
President of the Single Fathers Association, Rhondall Feeles said men have long felt under represented and unheard. He said Sunday’s turnout is a testament to their desire for acknowledgement.
“For years, men have been crying to be heard. Men have been crying to be valued in this society. And I mean, I feel good. It makes me feel good to see all these men out there. It makes me feel, at least know, that the advocacy for the last 10, 12, 13, 14 years, it is sometimes on how to put my son’s life on hold. And men really appreciate it. So I just want to thank the men for coming out. I want to encourage more men this is the end this is just the beginning.”
The Single Fathers Association Of T&T, BMen Tobago, Hope & Action Network and The Office of the Prime Minister are hosting the first Local Interisland International Men’s Day Celebrations.
As part of the celebrations, the organization has planned the “Boyz II Men” mentoring session on Monday and a major International Men’s Day event on Tuesday at the Government Campus Plaza.
“Separation. Divorce. And these are the things that lead to some of the bad social ills, that lead to depression, that lead for young men feeling unwanted, feeling unmentored, and looking for the wrong mentorship and joining gangs and becoming criminally minded themselves. It’s time for us, as men who are positively influenced, to be given the opportunity and appreciated as we stand in this place to empower even those younger, impressionable men.”