​On the 16th of May the South African joined the world to mark, International Day of the Boy Child. One wonders how many people are aware of the fact there is this day.
The International Day of the Boy Child was officially adopted by the United Nations in 2018 which was five years ago. The pioneer in the struggle to focus attention on boy child is Jerome Teelucksigh.
A lecture in history at the University of West Indies is also founder of the International Men's Day which is celebrated on the 19th of November every year. This day is set aside every year, to advocate for boys to be educated, groomed, and mentored in order to have truly gender equal world. It is also not marked as one oppose the focus on the girl child, but rather compliment it. Furthermore, This day reminds us that we should not neglect a boy child.
The day is dedicate to focus on boy children and their well-being. This includes the things they need in order to be happy, healthy, valued by their families and communities.
This is in line with the Department's Men and Boys Programme, which focuses on investing in boy's empowerment to reduce the rampant scourge of gender-based violence and moulding young boys into better men.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has various partnerships aimed at benefiting mouldings across the province. These programs provide mentorship for boy children on different issues such as behavioral change, emotional intelligence, spiritual upliftment and skills training.
Research and media reports indicates that many boys drop out of school, engage in violent behavior and unsafe sex, or practice other risky behaviors because this is what they believe they have to do to be regarded as "real men" by their friends and their communities.
Boys find it difficult to speak out against sexual abuse and exploitation because of stereotypical definitions of masculinity and deep-rooted homophobia. Several boys become homeless because of neglect and behavioral problems at home.
Street boys are the cannon fodder and recruitment for all social ills such as car hijacks', drug peddling, robberies, and many more.