Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 26, 2015 (SKNIS): Issues relevant to men in St. Kitts and Nevis will be highlighted next month, as International Men’s Day (IMD) will be celebrated on November 19 under the theme “Working to Expand Reproductive Options for Men.”
“This years’ focus for International Men’s Day is men’s health, in particular reproductive health,” said Troy Watson, Gender Officer in the Ministry of Gender Affairs, while adding that IMD is celebrated annually worldwide to recognize males for their contribution in various fields.
Mr. Watson said that in terms of sexual reproductive health and family planning, the fact is that there are very few existing choices for men, as it relates to contraceptives. The commonly available option is condoms.
He pointed out activities that would be done during the week that are designed to engage men of all spheres.
“This year we will be going around to various male dominated workplaces during the week of Monday, November 09 and Friday 13,” he said. “This period would be used to do health checks and to talk about sexual reproductive health. One of the things that we also want to promote is the idea of the need to do more research for men, dealing with paternity testing, as well as the different issues that men face as it relates to sexual health.”
Outside of the week set aside for men, an awards ceremony will held at the Ocean Terrace Inn on November 19.
“We will be talking about men’s health and Dr. Dale Crawford has consented to talk about this issue,” he said, while noting that about 75 persons from different agencies and businesses including the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, the St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force, C.A Paul Southwell Industrial Site and commercial districts are expected to be in attendance.
The events are organized by the Ministry of Gender Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The Honourable Eugene Hamilton, Minister of Health will be giving a presentation in commemoration of International Men’s Day.