| Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Trevor Thomas, has said that although it is a fact that men are the main perpetrators of domestic violence,wholesale jerseys, most men do not condone the act.However, at the same time, Thomas believes that the time has come for men to aggressively pursue initiatives that will stamp out gender based violence from society.“I believe that most men do not condone domestic violence…so clearly while men are the main perpetrators, most men do not support,Cheap Soccer Jerseys, do not agree, in fact they condemn domestic violence,” Thomas said, yesterday.The Permanent Secretary was at the time delivering the main address at a ‘Forum for Men’, which is part of 16 days of activities for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.The event was held at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.The forum saw the participation of a number of men from some leading organisations in the country, and is basically aimed at heightening the awareness on the impact of violence among men, to provide an opportunity for open dialogue among men as it relates to the fabric of the family, to develop strategies to formulate programmes, which will further support plans for government and other agencies, in order to bring about changes.Thomas is of the view that men and women have to be equal partners in development,Cheap Nike Shoes Online Shopping, and as such urged for resolution to be found that can somehow form a catalyst for the way forward and how men are going to aggressively respond to violence.“I believe the time has come, when as men,Cheap NFL Jerseys, we need to critically look again at the way we socialize our boys, and the kind of stereotyping that are attached to men and maybe stereotyping that sometimes gives the wrong impression of what it means to be macho,” Thomas said.He explained that the truth of the matter is that gender-based violence is real within the society and that men need to do something about it.He alluded to the kind of music which is being portrayed as entertainment and the kind of impact that it can have on teenage boys.“We need to look again at what passes as culture, what we accept as music, and how these impact upon the very socialisation process…People underestimate the impact that music has on their lives.”According to Thomas, and what is a known fact, some music is derogatory to women,NFL Jerseys China, and it is being allowed to pass freely; some men say unflattering things about women, and these are being brushed off as harmless.Meanwhile, assistant representative of UNFPA, Patrice La Fleur, told the gathering that understanding the differences is essential in crafting the policies and programmes for any society, and in this context she pledged the UNFPA’s support to the Human Services Ministry.She added that the issue of masculinity needs to be addressed, as some persons are of the belief that it is the only character of a man to be harsh,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, rough and angry. However, she debunked this view as she explained that there are those men who have a softer side to them.La Fleur also spoke about the underachievement of boys, as it is known that there are more young men who drop out of school than women.“Quiet recently we have seen an upsurge in murders involving men against women. UNFPA supports the need to work with men as partners and as agents of change. We cannot address the problem without the involvement of men—men and women working together to address all the issues that challenge us in our country.” (Fareeza Haniff). |
