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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Aug 23, 2019 - 1:03:36 PM


Male Desk Hosts Dialogue on ‘Responsible Fatherhood’
By Matt Maura
Aug 22, 2019 - 8:00:18 PM

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David Williams (left), Regional Director of Prison Fellowship International, and Founder of Uplifting Men, a non-governmental male-oriented programme, has a side bar with Fr. Stephen Davies, Chaplain and Education Officer, Royal Bahamas Police Force, during Tuesday’s inaugural dialogue on the “Responsible Fatherhood” series. Fr. Davies also serves as Rector of All Saints Anglican Church. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)

Nassau, The Bahamas – Officials at the Male Desk, Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, hosted men from various organizations that facilitate male-oriented programmes across New Providence to an inaugural dialogue on “Responsible Fatherhood” at the Ministry’s headquarters, Aventura Plaza.

Held on Tuesday (August 20), the dialogue followed on the heels of a call made by Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, for men and men’s groups across The Bahamas to take a more proactive role in mentoring the nation’s youth, both male and female, but especially those at-risk males whom statistics indicate are the greater perpetrators of violence against both females and other males.

The session provided the participants with the opportunity to “continue the dialogue” and exchange best practices as it relates to responsible fatherhood. Representation came from the church, and government and non-governmental organizations including the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Urban Renewal Commission, Teen Challenge Bahamas, Dream Chasers, Prison Fellowship Bahamas, Prison Fellowship International, Uplifting Men and the National L.E.A.D. Institute.

Representatives from the International Men’s Day Committee (IMDC) were also in attendance. The IMDC, which works in association with the Male Desk, has taken on the expanded role of serving as a facilitator and conduit for the various groupings that operate male-oriented programmes within the various communities.

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Participants in the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s inaugural dialogue on ‘Responsible Fatherhood’ Series huddle to signal “team and oneness” at the conclusion of the dialogue held in the Training Room of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, Aventura Plaza, Tuesday, August 20. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)

The conversation, which proved lively, was led by Henry Johnson, Male Programme Coordinator at the Department of Gender an Family Affairs and “Coach” Stevan Lynn, an International Fatherhood Advocate and Leader of Deeds Driven Dads Inc., whose mission is to address what Coach Lynn called “the serious issue of fatherless communities with our focus on actively engaging, educating and empowering fathers from all walks of life.” Deeds Driven Dads Inc., runs programmes across the region.
 
Participants from the various groupings willingly offered their insight, perspectives, recommendations and solutions as to how men in The Bahamas can become more responsible fathers to their children. They also addressed some of the issues that could present obstacles.

Deeds Driven Dads Inc., addresses key concerns, issues and obstacles to effective parenting through the hosting of various events, training sessions, outings and counselling sessions.

“In these modern times, we have seen the image of responsible, committed, fatherhood regress, placing families and communities in a state of crisis,” Coach Lynn said. “It is our mission to establish committed/equipped fatherhood teams thereby addressing needs specific to each individual community based on continuous assessments while performing universal parenting training/interventions (that are) synonymous with responsible fatherhood best practices.”
 
Deeds Driven Dads Inc., runs a series of programmes including a Fatherhood Training and Advocacy series that was created to elevate the visibility and leadership of fathers and father figures, bringing additional resources to communities and coordinate various efforts to engage and support fathers.

The entity also runs a Future Fathers Club that places specific emphasis on raising sound-minded, respectable young men. The Programme is a “sports-centric” initiative that specifically focuses on the at-risk youth population, providing mentorship, counselling and lifelong support to young men between the ages of 13-21.

Tuesday’s dialogue centred on responsible fatherhood, youth mentoring programmes, life and social skills training and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth, better parenting methods and strategies, building trust within the family structure, creating safe spaces and/or sacred spaces for families, in addition to community outreach and its ability to strengthen the family structure, among others.

Mr. Henry Johnson of the Male Desk said the inaugural dialogue was a huge success.

“What we are attempting to do is to spark and/or inspire not only this generation of men, but future generations of men in order to bring about the kind of positive change and influence needed to enhance the entire family structure, sparked by men,” Mr. Johnson said.

“It is awesome when males can come together as both men and fathers to have these types of sincere, open and honest conversations because it provides for the opportunity to empower and to encourage and to discuss and to learn best practices from each other on what it takes to be a responsible father. When we can have more of our men taking on greater roles with their children in more positive ways, it can only bode well for the entire family structure and future generations of boys and girls,” Mr. Johnson added.

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