26 Nov 2015

The Lobatse District Gender Committee kick started the 16 days of activism against gender based violence by commemorating and celebrating International Men’s day.

The day which was initiated in Trinidad and Tobago and is celebrated annually in November,is meant to  recognise the role that men play in the society.

Speaking at the commemoration, Athlone Hospital’s  Mr Mokgwathise Motlhake said it was important for men to celebrate this day as it is a chance for them to recognise their existence.

Mr Motlhake said the International Men’s day is not just like any other day but rather to be taken as a special day that recognises “very important people who play a very important role in the society.”

He therefore implored men to take their role in the society seriously adding that it was therefore very important for men to be exemplary and role models to the youngsters who look up to them.

He said the day was therefore not meant to only celebrate famous personalities who are men, but each and every man in the society regardless of their social status.

Focusing on the them of the day which was “Looking at the possibilities of expanding the reproductive options for men”, Mr Motlhake said it was critical for men to know that they are highly responsible for reproduction.

He said it was therefore high time that men do away with the mentality of blaming women at the time when a couple cannot conceive.

“It is high time that men stop blaming  women for non-reproduction in the family, but understand very well that there is a possibility for men to fail to reproduce as much as women”, he said.

He also implored men to take responsibility in raising their children, saying for quite a long time the responsibility of raising children was only vested upon women.

He therefore applauded men who take equal responsibility in raising their children from their time of birth urging them to not even be ashamed of  telling their children on daily basis how much they love them.

For his part, Lobatse deputy mayor Mr Francis Mokwena said men are faced with a lot of challenges such as failing to co – exist with women as people of the opposite sex.

He said the most difficult thing is for men to accept the fact that women are equally gifted in all spheres of life as they are.

He said such days as International Men’s day were very important to show men the importance of recognising their role in the society and assisting them in one way or the other to face their challenges and overcome them.

Mr Mokwena expresses concern at the high statistics that indicate that most men than women are found on the wrong side of the law especially with regards to gender based violence..

He therefore implored them to always make it a habit to share their problems with their male friends or visits counseling professionals instead of resorting to acts of violence which results in them being prisoned.

He said he was worried especially by the number of men who were prisoners, a sign that indeed men are perpetrators of acts of violence which land them on the wrong side of the law.
Councillor Tiny Dinoko took time to recognise the role that men play especially in the establishment of families. Cllr Dinoko appreciated men, especially those men who commit to the establishment and growing together with their families.

She encouraged men not to resort to silence which ends up in violence whenever they are faced with challenges, but rather make it a habit to seek help maybe from friends especially those of the opposite sex on issues related to love relationships.

She also encouraged men to make it a habit to discuss issues of sexual performance with their partners. Ends