Finding solutions

The Senior students of St. Leonard’s Boys’ School took part in a serious discussion on gender-based violence, yesterday.

In recognition of the 16 Days of Activism, the United States Embassy in Barbados heard the views of the young men during the interactive session held under the theme “Men Can Stop Rape – Understanding Men’s Roles In Ending Rape Culture.”

The international campaign got underway on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and will continue until December 10 – Human Rights Day. 

“We thought it important to come to St. Leonard’s, to the only all boys secondary school in Barbados, to talk about this important theme… To talk seriously and openly with these young men about rape, sexual harassment – about gender-based violence,” Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy to Barbados, Larry Socha told reporters on the sidelines of the event also facilitated by Chief of Nature Fun Ranch, Corey Lane; President of Men’s Empowerment Network, Fabian Sargeant; Dr. Anthony Cummins and Leigh-Ann Worrell of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, UWI.

“We are here with various partners from around the country to talk to the students about what it means to be a young man today, and what it means to live a life centred on respect for women and building healthy, strong communities.”

“These are problems that our societies face together – Barbados, United States and around the world. Unfortunately there are troubling reports out there of women whose first sexual encounter is forced or some-what forced they report, and young men are part of the solution to those problems of forced sexual encounters, rape and sexual harassment,” he explained.

Sargeant said that engaging the students was extremely important, stressing that “men need to be part of this message.”

“For many years we have been speaking about equality and I find that the messages recently, have not been about equality really. It has been pushing more towards empowering women… These young men need that support; these young men need the messages, so a message like this one as it relates to sexual violence is extremely important to empower these young men, but also equally important to understand that there are so many other types of violence.”

Principal of St. Leonard’s Boys’ School, Stephen Scott commended the US Embassy for its outreach. He said that the Richmond Gap, St. Michael school does not only focus on the academics, but tries to prepare the young men for life in general.

“The Bible speaks to the fact that as males we were created to take care and nurture our families, specifically our females. And this discussion that we will have on ‘Understanding Men’s Role in Ending Rape Culture,’ as males we need to have that discussion, as well as to ensure that our men understand their role and how to see the opposite sex.” (TL)