Speak up for the good of boy child
By Editorial.Team, May 19, 2023Tuesday May 16 was International Boy Child Day. Unfortunately, the day came and went without much celebration or activities to promote or advocate issues currently facing the boy child. We expected a lot of noise from the Deputy President’s wife, Pastor Dorcas Gachagua’s organisation, which she set up upon assuming the Second Lady’s office. The outfit committed to introduce nationwide empowerment programmes focused on the empowerment of the boy child.
A rather little-known day, owing to the fact that it was introduced into the international days calendar in 2018, the day observance was established by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, an academician from Trinidad and Tobago, the lecturer who is also well-known as the catalyst behind the global recognition of 19th November as International Men’s Day.
But why are boy child empowerment activities important you may ask, considering the fact that the girl child has been disenfranchised for such a long time?
One, gender issues are not a preserve of the girl child or women alone. Gender incorporates women and men as well as boys and girls affairs.
Boys are a critical component of a proper functioning society, as they grow up to become men. Hence their development and well-being is crucial for creating a prosperous and harmonious society. Sociologists and anthropologist insist the cure for economic and social insecurity in Kenya lies ultimately with the empowerment of boys and men.
Therefore, while gender equality discussions always focus on addressing challenges faced by girls, the current sorry status of affairs concerning the boy child calls for a new approach — an end to overlooking the specific needs and concerns of boys. The boy child plays a significant role in shaping our world, and hence understanding and supporting their growth development and rights is paramount.
Boys ought to be encouraged to open up and speak up whenever they are faced with challenges or any form of abuse. The rate of sexual abuse among boys is on the rise. He, just like the girl child faces the same heightened risk of sexual abuse, and the danger of boys not speaking out, predisposes them to grow up with their troubles, which socioligists say make them very bitter men/persons in society, later on in life.