The Tribune

MINISTER of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin recently launched the Reclaiming Our Boys Project - an initiative which was called for under the National Strategic Plan To Address Gender-Based Violence.

“Far too many of our young men and boys are dying and far too many families are crying,” Mrs Griffin said at the launch. “This project will put in place measures to address the high levels of violence by reclaiming the young men and boys that have fallen prey to violence; discouraging a future life of violence for boys, and promoting healthy forms of conflict resolution for them.”

The Reclaiming Our Boys Project was launched with a special three-day workshop designed to address the high levels of violence in the country, which are mainly affected by Bahamian young males aged 18 to 25 as both victim and perpetrator.

The workshop “Let’s Take Back Our Boys” was hosted by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs along with United Nation’s Women (UN Women) Senior Programme Specialist Gabrielle Henderson; Tyrone Buckmire, workshop consultant; and Dr Robin Roberts from the National Task Force To End Gender Based Violence.

Participants included doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, counsellors and youth leaders who spent three days receiving training specifically in dealing with youth, which the United Nation deems as those between 16 and 30. They also shared experiences and were given insight on how to truly impact the lives of those in this most vulnerable group and save them from killing or harming one another.

“Recognising that strong, inclusive and equitable nations are created when women and girls, and men and boys partner equally to address the social challenges facing societies, we stand firmly behind the ideas undergirding this project,” said Mrs Griffin.