Tobago’s men and boys took charge of the Tobago House of Assembly on Monday as the first International Men’s Day Debate was held in the Legislature Chamber.
They brought hard-hitting facts and personal experiences to the Chamber, debating a Motion focusing on the welfare of men and boys.
The International Men’s Day Debate Motion called on the Tobago House of Assembly to foster collaboration among governmental and non-governmental organisations to restore balance, empower men, and strengthen the social fabric of Tobago.
The Motion was brought by Mr. Keigon Denoon, who assumed the role of Minority Leader. He lamented the alarming statistics showing that 81% of suicides in 2023 were men.
“We need a men’s mental health network, district-based clinics opened after hours run by male counselors linked to churches, sports clubs, and workplaces. We need a community mentorship, anger management training, skills development linked to employment and family reconnection programmes that brings fathers back into the lives of their children.”
Member for Mt. St. George/Goodwood, Mr. Eddison Thomas, who supported the Minority’s Motion, added to the lamentation through his personal experience as a father. He called for equality among men and women.
“We want the THA to adopt a policy for one month paternity leave for fathers. We can lead the way for the entire country in that regard until it is recognised in law. We also want to petition the National Insurance Board through the Central Government to extend the same $3,750 as a one-time benefit for fathers in the first instance, even at the second instance.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Akinlabi Holder, who held the role of Chief Secretary, said more needs to be done than programmes. He said the issue should be dealt with on a national scale.
“This programme that the Minority is suggesting will not be effective unless we have a targeted public education campaign aimed towards dismantling the harmful conditioning that men receive and it has a goal towards improving men’s mental health.”
Leader of Assembly Business, Mr. Johanan Cornwall, further shared the Majority’s recommendations, which included a multi-sectoral approach to men’s role in society.
“Normalise men’s involvement in the delivery room like my great Secretary of Health already did and then we must normalise them in the classroom and in the home. Too often growing up with single mothers is a normal thing. We have to change that.”
One of the youngest debaters, Mr. Zeshawn Lovelace, in a very spirited presentation, stressed that addressing the issue must start with boys.
“Men who suffer from depression commonly report that their mental health struggles begin between the ages of 12 and 18 years old. This means the crisis does not begin in adulthood. It begins in childhood, and by the time a boy becomes a man, the wounds are already deep. Therefore we must examine core issues and adopt a preventative approach.”
Also present as a Councillor was Mr. Rhondall Feeles, President of the Fathers’ Association, who supported the Motion. In the end, the Motion was passed with support given by all Members of the House.