– vow not to verbally, physically and sexually abuse their women and children
SCORES of men from the Skeldon Community in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) yesterday signed the ‘Skeldon Declaration’ in which they vowed not to verbally, physically and sexually abuse their women and children. Men of various age groups, including students 14 years and older, assembled and pledged their support to the declaration by placing their signatures on a signboard. They were each given a public pledge card upon signing.
Yesterday’s event gave the men an opportunity to make an open commitment to uphold the rights of women and children and they did so by signing the simple, precise and clearly worded declaration on the treatment of women.
The men collectively recited the declaration, which in part, urged them to treat women with dignity and respect. They also pledged that sex would never be forced or demanded and would be engaged in only with an individual 16 years and older.
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, unveiled the signboard and also delivered the feature address in which he urged the men and boys to reject the long held notion that a man must dominate his family.
“We do not need to use violence to make known our presence or role in the house or community,” the minister said, adding that it does not make one less of a man if he chooses to discuss more with his family and deal with them in a caring and respectful manner.
Further, the minister remarked that real men do not inflict violence against women and he informed the men and boys that their vow yesterday ‘does not make them less of a man but more of a man.’ 
He said, too, that it is not too late to stop the trend of ill-treating women in that historic community and noted that the statistics have revealed a significant number of cases in Region Six. However, since persons may want to criticise this initiative, he pointed out that government was not trying to stigmatise with the men in that region.
The minister urged the men to think about the effect hitting their wives would have on the children who may be looking on. “You are, in a way, nurturing that boy to perpetuate violence when he grows up,” he stated.
Administrator of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) Patrick Finley said the initiative was being undertaken to bring an end to violence against women and noted that one of its key messages is that sex is not a right or an obligation.
He further mentioned that the community declaration would be taken to several communities across the country culminating next year around this time at Charity. 
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is collaborating with the newly formed MAB and the Men’s Empowerment Network.