Dear Editor,

INTERNATIONAL Men’s Day was recently celebrated under the theme, “Better relations between men and women.” This theme is an important one as it recognises the necessity of improving gender relations and promoting gender equality for all.

Our tendency to focus on the extreme differences between men and women has resulted in our issues and experiences framed as being vastly separate from each other. This has created an environment where gender stereotypes are taken as fact and further solidified amongst groups.

We must move away from the idea that working with men and boys means addressing only male issues and instead, looking to build positive relationships between the genders that will promote their collective safety and health. For example, while ChildLinK’s One Thousand Boys initiative focuses on the sexual violence that is perpetrated against boys, it recognises that sexual violence affects children regardless of gender and other identity markers.

It focuses on a comprehensive response towards sexual violence, acknowledging that girls are extremely vulnerable, while highlighting the lack of awareness concerning boys’ sexual violence.

The experiences that men and women face and their responses to them are not fundamentally different and it is for reasons such as these that an intersectional approach towards men and women’s rights must be taken. Recognising the effects that things such as sexual violence, mental illnesses, trauma and instability have on persons regardless of gender, race and social status can aid in us being able to develop collaborative and comprehensive approaches towards positive change.

Yours sincerely,

Akola Thompson
Blue Umbrella Consultant, ChildLinK
To report or seek counselling, please call 914/227-0979/227-2023/233-3500