[UPDATED] Webster-Roy: Men's Bureau coming

AYANNA Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, has announced her ministry's plans to establish a Men’s Bureau.

Although she did not go into details about the plan, she said it will provide programmes for men and focus on gender equality and the well-being of all men.

“The work we do here today is not just about addressing the issues you face daily. It is about creating a better, more equitable society for everyone,” she said.

Speaking at a Working Men’s Forum at Government Plaza, Richmond Street, Port of Spain, on September 5, Webster-Roy described the event as a powerful opportunity to inform the establishment of a platform.

“The establishment of the Men’s Bureau is crucial. Together, we can build a future where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive in the workplace, at home, and in communities.”

She asked the group of about 60 men to engage fully in the discussions and share their experiences, and she hoped they would leave with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to make their workplaces safer.

“I want to stress that men are the key to resilient families. Men are the foundational bedrock, the cornerstone upon which society and family thrive.

“I don’t want today to be just a talk shop. I want you to come up with creative, innovative solutions and challenge us as leaders to provide you with what you deserve.”

Webster-Roy emphasised the forum is designed to empower men, encourage meaningful dialogue, and help shape the bureau.

“The most significant outcome we hope to achieve through this forum is the initiation of discussions around the bureau, which will serve as a dedicated platform to support and address men’s issues. We want it to be a space where men can support each other, highlight opportunities and track the progress of men and boys.”

She said a similar event took place in her constituency of Tobago East, where women were also excluded.

After the event, her constituency office manager, who stayed for the session, highlighted the importance to her of having a safe space for men.

“As an elected representative, it is crucial to get your input in shaping what the bureau should look and feel like. As a mother and an aunt, it’s important to me that young men and boys have safe space.”

Webster-Roy reiterated the bureau's importance and stressed the need to get it right.

“We have a whole generation of young men depending on us. After this forum, I hope all participants will have a greater awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, with practical skills to address and prevent these issues, as well as a comprehensive grasp of the various frameworks and organisations dedicated to supporting men and boys.

“As we say in Tobago, one hand doesn’t clap and one cocoa doesn’t fill a basket. We must work together. We need to combine our efforts and ideas to fill the basket.”

She urged participants to let the forum be a starting point where dialogue leads to action and where every man knows he is valued and supported.

After delivering her speech, Webster-Roy and other female guests were asked to leave so the men could begin their discussions without women present.

The ministry's communication department, in a brief WhatsApp conversation with Newsday, said a follow-up forum is planned for Tobago, but did not say when.

Activist: More data needed on men's issues

Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a Newsday columnist, UWI historian, and men's activist, presented and took part in the panel, praised the initiative and stressed the need for more safe space for men to address their issues and called for a re-examination of men's roles within the broader Caribbean.

He said his goal is to champion equity and equality for men in the workplace, and the forum and others like it will start much-needed conversations.

Teelucksingh said the lack of proper data on problems that affect men, such as sexual harassment, intimate-partner and domestic violence, prostate cancer, mental health and men's suicide rates, is a major problem in Trinidad and Tobago, and more surveys to obtain accurate statistics are needed. He said better education about men's rights at work is needed.

He argued for the implementation of paid paternity leave, suggesting a two-month period and called for a re-examination of legal separations. He said courts often show leniency towards women, even when in some cases men may be better-suited parents.

He advocated for unbiased treatment in the judicial system and called for legislation to support this, proposing workshops and seminars.

He said more safe houses for men, similar to those available for women and children, were needed and should be built across Trinidad and Tobago, not just in Port of Spain.

Teelucksingh also said negative stereotypes and a culture of machismo discourage men from reporting violence against them. He hopes when the bureau is established, it will support other men's organisations with funding, including financial support from the UN.

He called on the UN to officially designate two days on the calendar: May 16 as the Day of the Boy Child and November 19 as International Men's Day.

He said while both days are celebrated, they are not officially recognised, and he would like Trinidad and Tobago's UN representative to submit a motion for both days.

Teelucksingh has been credited with championing November 19 as International Men's Day.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

AYANNA Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, has announced her ministry's plans to establish a Men’s Bureau. Although she did not go into details about the plan, she said it will provide programmes for men and focus on gender equality and the well-being of all men.

“The work we do here today is not just about addressing the issues you face daily. It is about creating a better, more equitable society for everyone,” she said.

Speaking at a Working Men’s Forum at Government Plaza, Richmond Street, Port of Spain, on September 5, Webster-Roy described the event as a powerful opportunity to inform the establishment of a platform.

“The establishment of the Men’s Bureau is crucial. Together, we can build a future where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive in the workplace, at home, and in communities.”

She asked the group of about 60 men to engage fully in the discussions and share their experiences, and she hoped they would leave with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to make their workplaces safer.

“I want to stress that men are the key to resilient families. Men are the foundational bedrock, the cornerstone upon which society and family thrive.

“I don’t want today to be just a talk shop. I want you to come up with creative, innovative solutions and challenge us as leaders to provide you with what you deserve.”

Webster-Roy emphasised the forum is designed to empower men, encourage meaningful dialogue, and help shape the bureau.

“The most significant outcome we hope to achieve through this forum is the initiation of discussions around the bureau, which will serve as a dedicated platform to support and address men’s issues. We want it to be a space where men can support each other, highlight opportunities and track the progress of men and boys.”

She said a similar event took place in her constituency of Tobago East, where women were also excluded.

After the event, her constituency office manager, who stayed for the session, highlighted the importance to her of having a safe space for men.

“As an elected representative, it is crucial to get your input in shaping what the bureau should look and feel like. As a mother and an aunt, it’s important to me that young men and boys have safe space.”

Webster-Roy reiterated the bureau's importance and stressed the need to get it right.

“We have a whole generation of young men depending on us. After this forum, I hope all participants will have a greater awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, with practical skills to address and prevent these issues, as well as a comprehensive grasp of the various frameworks and organisations dedicated to supporting men and boys.

“As we say in Tobago, one hand doesn’t clap and one cocoa doesn’t fill a basket. We must work together. We need to combine our efforts and ideas to fill the basket.”

She urged participants to let the forum be a starting point where dialogue leads to action and where every man knows he is valued and supported.

After delivering her speech, Webster-Roy and other female guests were asked to leave so the men could begin their discussions without women present.