
– World Day of the boy child celebrates all the positive elements that boys bring to their families and communities. It also sheds light on the issues and challenges that boys face as they develop. While the United Nations has successfully celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child yearly on October 11 since 2012, it begs the question: why has there been a glaring absence of official recognition for
International Day of the Boy Child? We believe it is time for the United Nations to embrace this important day, providing a platform to address the unique issues faced by boys and
foster true gender equality.
It is time we acknowledge the critical role of boys in our society
and work towards achieving true equality by giving equal attention to both boys and girls.
For over 25 years, since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, civil society organizations (CSOs), governments, and donors have prioritized the girl child while inadvertently neglecting the boy child in intervention strategies. While we appreciate the
efforts to improve the lives of girls and women, excluding the boy child from these strategies create an imbalanced future generation.
We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the marginalization, neglect, and abandonment faced by countless young boys today. Their enrollment rates in primary and secondary
schools are plummeting, and school dropout rates among boys are skyrocketing. Many boys and young men find themselves in remand and prison, while others fall victim to fraudulent
activities, alcoholism, drug abuse, robbery, and violence. Some endure the horrors of sexual abuse and harassment, but the culture of silence prevents them from speaking out.
These concerning trends are fueled by a lack of attention and support for the boy child’s development and overall well-being.
The well-being of our boys is a critical aspect of building a harmonious society. Boys play a vital role in their families and communities, bringing forth unique contributions and
perspectives.
Yet, too often, they remain invisible and forgotten. Boys have specific needs that deserve attention and support to ensure their well-being and success. The inaugural observance of the World Day of the Boy Child on May 16, 2018, founded by Dr. Jerome
Teelucksingh of Trinidad and Tobago, shed light on these critical issues.
Mental health is a crucial aspect that deserves our attention. It is no secret that boys and men face significant challenges in this regard, often suffering silently due to societal expectations and stigmas. Choosing Mental Health Month as the backdrop for celebrating boys is a poignant reminder that addressing their mental well-being is a pressing concern.
By providing them with the tools, guidance, and support necessary to navigate life’s challenges, we can contribute to a future where boys grow into emotionally resilient men.
The appropriate technique to appreciate and mold boys into manhood has far-reaching benefits. It will not only benefit their well-being, but it will also encourage healthier
relationships, gender equality, and the creation of a society in which both men and women thrive in peace. Therefore, it is our appeal to schools in Nigeria to incorporate the
International Day of the Boy Child into their educational programs to promote the well-being of their male students.
The absence of a dedicated day to focus on the boy child raises important questions.
We must not allow the continued imbalance of the gender scale. Without an equal focus on both the boy child and the girl child, gender equality remains elusive. Shockingly, worldwide,
boys are 50% less likely than girls to meet basic proficiency standards in reading, maths, and science. Boys are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) twice as
often as girls.
They are also more likely to be victims of violent crimes, struggle academically with a higher proportion of failed grades, experience a suicide rate four times higher than girls, and end up in juvenile detention five times more often. Men face higher rates of suicide, and their life expectancy is routinely lower than that of women.
Moreover, the sexual exploitation of boys remains a grave human rights violation that often goes unrecognized or unseen. Research on this issue has neglected the experiences of boys, highlighting the need for strengthened programs, improved policy, enhanced service delivery, and prevention efforts.
This neglect is akin to a ticking time bomb, as evidenced by the alarming number of boys succumbing to drug and substance abuse. We must save the boy child from
the harmful influences of society, and this starts with a focused effort in homes and schools.
The turbulent social environment in which boys grow up exposes them to a multitude of negative forces. If neglected or fed a diet of hate and violence, they are more likely to become misguided and confused teenagers, making the transition into manhood even more challenging.
This gender equality gap has increased in cases where young boys experience abuse from older women or their peers. Boys have faced various forms of abuse, including sexual, physical, emotional, neglect, and even ritual killings. This has significantly heightened male vulnerability. Grown men, too, face personal pressures, and spousal or peer abuse, which lead to detrimental effects such as drug and substance abuse, violent behavior, reckless
sexual acts, and even suicides.
While efforts to prioritize the girl child over the years have brought tremendous improvement to their lives, we must avoid creating an imbalance by neglecting the boy child. It is crucial to recognize that empowering both boys and girls is necessary to forge a
gender-just society.
Biased or discriminatory approaches only perpetuate disempowerment and breed further gender bias and human right violation against boys. While commemorating this year’s International Day of the Boy Child, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a society where both boys and girls can thrive. We call upon the United Nations, the federal and state governments, civil society organizations, and communities worldwide to embrace the International Day of the Boy Child on May 16.
Let us join hands to ensure that no child, regardless of their gender, is left behind. Together, we can create a future where boys and girls grow up in an equal and inclusive society.
Attah Solomon
Founder,
Inclusive Voices Development Initiative
07036766401
Attahsolomon1@yahoo.com