Stakeholders partner with MiLAT to educate young men on GBV

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Statistics from the Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV), show that between August last year and May 2024, there were 2,848 reports of domestic abuse. During that timeframe, there were 22 deaths as a result of domestic violence.

This is why stakeholders of the Military-Led Academic Training Programme (MiLAT), CADV, and the Ministry of Youth Development & National Service (MYDNS) saw the value in developing a programme to educate 90 MiLAT students on gender-based violence (GBV).

Project Coordinator and Child Rights Activist Marcus Kissoon said it was his honour and also his duty to teach the young men and boys about GBV.

He said the young men knew about physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, harassment, and discrimination very well.

These, he said, undermined the values of respect, equality, and justice.

“It is without doubt that they have a unique and powerful role to play in ending GBV,” he said.

But Kissoon made it clear that the CADV and the young men and boys could not do it alone and he challenged the State to do its part.

“It is time that we ensure that young men are exposed to positive media…that helps us undo the toxic and harmful traits that have been engrained through socialisation,” he said.

Kissson believes this approach will help create a generation of men who are aware of the issues but also equipped to bring on meaningful change as they also heal from their traumas.

MiLAT programme director Lieutenant (Naval) Anthony Goddard said programmes such as these encouraged the young men to come out of their comfort zone and express their feelings.

“You can see a lot more expressiveness,” he said.

Guardian Media senior reporter Akash Samaroo and this reporter participated in three sessions of the course and spoke to the young men and boys about journalism and domestic violence.

At the end of the programme, the students hosted an art exhibition titled Colours of Peace, Young Men Confronting GBV, which was held yesterday at the campus on Mausica Road.

The students put 31 paintings on display, performed a skit on DMV, and recited a poem as part of the Art Exhibition.