The Office of Gender Affairs is encouraging fathers to develop and maintain a healthy relationship with their children and will feature four fathers living in the Virgin Islands in a Fatherhood Campaign.

Messrs. Bryon Ismael, Kenric George, Ganesh Surujbally and Marcus Harley will be featured for the role they play in the lives of their children.  

Gender Affairs Coordinator Ms. Lorolie Connor said that the fatherhood campaign is derived from a Pan American Health Organisation initiative that seeks to promote the participation of fathers and caregivers in the lives of children.

She said the campaign was necessary to highlight great fathers, to encourage men to play a leading role in the lives of their children, to promote healthy paternal relationships and to empower men with the necessary knowledge and information to enable them to fulfill their roles as great fathers.

Ms. Connor added, “This is our third year that the office has featured great fathers as part of its campaign.  We want to encourage fathers to be in their children’s lives.  There are some fathers that are very instrumental in raising their children and we want to see more of that. We want to see more men taking their role more seriously because their role is just as important as the mother’s role.”

The Gender Affairs Coordinator stated that featuring fathers will serve as inspiration for other men.  “If we can highlight those fathers and get those fathers to inspire other fathers, that is really what we are looking for. We want to empower other fathers to become the best fathers they can be,” she said.

The fathers will be showcased weekly and will assist the Office of Gender Affairs in transmitting the key messages of love, support, commitment, guidance, nurturing and promoting healthy paternal relationships. They will also be featured on radio ads, posters, and e-flyers. Messrs. George and Ismael will share their views on healthy co-parenting relationships and spending quality time with children on a GIS programme that will be aired on CBN channel 51 Mondays to Fridays at 7:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

Men’s Month is an initiative by the Office of Gender Affairs which aims to educate men on the importance of living holistic healthy lives and raise public awareness of the unique health concerns affecting men and boys in the Territory. Men are encouraged to be aware of their overall health and secure lasting relationships with their children.

            The Office of Gender Affairs is committed to the development and implementation of policies and programmes that promote gender equality and equity.