Eight (8) men were on Friday, November 18th awarded for their sterling contributions made within the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis during an award ceremony in recognition of International Men’s Day.
The day is recognized annually on November 19th.
The Prime Minister’s Man of the Year Award was awarded to Cricket icon Elquemedo Willett, Rodney Browne recognized for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Elmo Burke for First Response, Recaldo Richards for Environment and Sanitation, Clive Saunders for Community Service and Activism, and Sylvester Huggins for Creative Economy and Cultural Arts, the Director’s Men of Valour Award went to Jahrick Crossley, while the Legacy Award was received by Leroy Willett.
A number of cabinet officials attended the ceremony including Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew who made a toast to the awardees and said that the men who were awarded are really an embodiment of the last part of the theme which says: “Gender Equality: The Role of Men and Boys in Building and Maintaining Positive Relations” and that they demonstrated their commitment to their different fields of endeavour, to their craft, and that has resulted in helping to build positive relationships that resulted in them being recognized.
Meantime,
During a National address on Saturday, Junior Minister responsible for Gender Affairs, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, said that for this year’s theme it should encourage men to build relationships with other fellow men who are friends, brethren, or brothers.
She stated that strong and healthy friendships with other positive-minded males will result in a lower risk of depression, suicide, school dropout, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and gang involvement.
Hon. Phliip also focused on the relationship between men and their children as well as increasing mentor-mentee relationships.
She was quoted as saying: “the type of relationship that fathers have with their children affects children’s cognitive and social development and where involved and active father figures are absent in a boy child’s life, mentors become even more necessary to support healthy development and growth. Mentorship is found to be impactful at influencing behaviour change and life choices among at-risk children and youth in particular.”
The Junior Minister encouraged interested males to sign up to become mentors in the Department of Gender Boys Mentorship Programme and added that the Department of Gender Affairs is exploring additional opportunities to further engage men in dialogue that explore solutions to gender-based violence.
