THE Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) reconfirmed their commitment to helping to guide young men in Jamaica with the resumption of their Conversation with Boys workshops on November 17 ahead of the November 19 celebration of International Men’s Day.

Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented the hosting of the workshops since 2020, WLI Chair Grace Burnett said when they conceptualised the workshops it was against the background that teachers were sharing that many of the young boys in their classes were exposed to behaviour in their homes and communities that were influencing their own negative attitudes and behaviours.

“We did extensive research and with the support and assistance of the agencies responsible for children’s affairs, we were able to develop the framework for a “conversation” between the boys and Dr Michael Abrahams, noted physician,” she said. “The WLI has also been conducting child sexual abuse prevention workshops for educators since 2010, designed to prevent, detect, and treat with instances of child sexual abuse.

“At the tender age of between 10 [and] 12 the boys have many questions, including about girls, about conflict resolution relating to adults and peers. We have marvelled at how interactive and communicative the boys are in telling their stories and how very resilient they are despite the culture of crime, abuse, and general indiscipline that might surround some of them. Despite their strained realities, they can be quite humorous and, thankfully, still guileless and childlike.”

The 2022 edition was no different and with the support of GK Capital Markets; Le Nic Consulting; Knutsford Express, which transported the boys in fine style to the Jamaica Pegasus; and Edgechem Jamaica Limited, they were able to take 37 boys from Mico Practising Primary and Junior High School out of their usual environment and give them the opportunity to talk.

“As one 11-year-old shared, ‘We just want to talk the things.’ Thankfully, Conversation With Boys allowed them to do just that and Dr Abrahams was able to share his own perspectives and guide them through their emotions, observations, and questions that confound them,” Burnett explained.

Thanking the teachers of Mico Practising Primary and Junior High School, who have partnered with the WLI for the Conversation with Boys series, Nadine Heywood, chair of WLI’s Advocacy Committee said, “The WLI is very encouraged by the outcomes and feedback from participation of these workshops. We hosted the first Conversation with Boys September 26, 2018 as a pilot for future interventions towards achieving male behaviour change by discussing attitudes and issues among young boys. Now we have hosted three sessions and over 100 boys have been impacted.”

Quoting from a song by Jamaican reggae singer Protoje, Heywood told the students:

“Be sure when you trodding on your way.

‘Member say you not alone in a the ting

Watch your focus, life so glorious

When you know it’s just part of growing up, growing up.”