THE Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) is undertaking a series of programmes to educate people of that gender on the way to resolve domestic issues that lead to violence and in, some cases, murder. The outreaches are included in efforts to curb and ultimately, eliminate the ongoing phenomenon that is plaguing Guyana, MAB Administrator, Mr. Diego Alphonso said.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he said men are, generally, reluctant to speak out on issues affecting them, which they feel belittle their ego.
He believes that this reluctance, in most cases, is what leads to violent acts and noted that, if they do not relate their problems, they cannot be guided by alternative measures to resolve them.
Alphonso said men need to report cases of abuse towards them, although this is found to be seldom in society.
Further, he said: “As a nation, persons believe, for too long, society has been labeling the females and the children as the victims and men as the villains. However, the facts and the statistics would show that, indeed, men have been the main perpetrators of violence and so what we have been doing, we have been encouraging men in these outreaches to come, whenever they feel provoked, into the Men’s Affairs Bureau within the Human Services Ministry and talk alternatives and options and they will be educated that domestic violence is not the solution to a problem as domestic violence is the problem.”

MORE COMFORTABLE
Alphonso pointed out that most men are found to be more comfortable speaking out in groups at outreaches, after they have agreed to visit the Bureau for counseling with their partners.
The topics discussed are things like expectations, how they can meet each other half way, conflict resolution and anger management, he said.
Alphonso added that, while infidelity, nagging and disrespect were identified as issues that provoke men and result in violence, it was discovered that men, in this nation, are in pain, sometimes.
He stated that society only sees the women and children hurting but it is not wise to negate that fact as men are seen pouring themselves out. They explain their predicaments and the Bureau works along with them and encourages and gives them hope that there are alternatives and options to violence.
As such, Alphonso said the MAB seeks to reach out to young men utilising several alternatives and, for this year, some 30 secondary schools are targeted, where interactions on domestic violence will be kept in the various regions.
In the New Year, Alphonso said the Bureau has plans to diversify its programmes by maximising the use of the media to reach out to men.
He stated that there are quite a number of success stories that encourage the MAB to continue doing its work, so men should make appointments, at its office, to seek help.