Social worker Fabian Sargeant, who is Founder and President of the Men’s Empowerment Network Support (MENS) speaking at the launch, whilst accompanied by Vice President, Dr. Anthony Cummins (right), Secretary Troy Arthur (second from left) and floor member Mark Haynes (left).
Men who need a safe space in which to discuss their diverse social challenges and find the necessary support to aid in their emotional well-being, can now lean on the newly established Men’s Empowerment Network Support group.
According to social worker Fabian Sargeant, who is Founder and President of the Men’s Empowerment Network Support (MENS), the newly launched group is a charitable organisation that aspires to be the leading representative body, championing the cause of men in Barbados.
“The dynamics of our Barbadian society has for many years perpetuated a culture of machoism among men, defined by emotional detachment, promiscuity, physical strength, violence, among many other skewed perceptions of social roles. This phenomenon has permeated males at all levels of society and has contributed to a plethora of issues that MENS will address, through our network and programming,” the MENS President noted.
“We will provide a safe space for men to emotionally “of load” and deal with their emotional well-being. Educating men is also a major component of our mandate, where we will educate our members on a wide variety of areas such as health, the judicial system and contemporary gender issues. Our programming and initiatives will be research based, to maintain our relevance in an ever rapidly changing environment. Ultimately, MENS is the group that will present men’s issues at the individual, group and policy level, with a high degree of alacrity,” Sargeant added.
“This is our safe space and I would like to really send a message to not only government, but to corporate Barbados, that we must invest in our men. Throughout the years I know and rightly so, women have had tremendous support. They have had their various organisations lobbying on their behalf and advocating and pushing. Actually, whenever you hear the word gender, people automatically think of females. People seldom think about men, but we have to invest in our men,” Sargeant meanwhile stated.
Public Relations/Communications Officer Kwame Bradshaw, in speaking of the initiatives to be rolled out by MENS, indicated that they will be launched under three headings – Support, Education and Advocacy. Under the Support segment, there will be MENS Talk bimonthly sessions, psychosocial support group sessions, a parenting programme for just fathers, a mentorship programme for males and an established hotline to field calls from males who are battling various challenges. Under the Education segment, there will be workshops, live streaming discussions, social media infomercials, a newsletter and general literature disseminated about men’s issues. Under the Advocacy umbrella, there will be a “Real Dads” campaign launched, a No to Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence campaign, a radio programme, a walk and run rally and there will also be various school campaigns established to assist young males at the level of our schools.
MENS intends to collaborate with government and non-governmental organisations in order to make an impact in all men, but especially those males under 30 years of age. MENS will also be reaching out to corporate Barbados for sponsorship, to assist with its various initiatives. (RSM)