Men invited to anti-violence conference in NY

(CNS): The Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation (ESRF) is inviting men who work directly with boys and/or men in the Cayman Islands to apply for a full sponsorship to attend the Stand Up and Speak Out Conference in New York later this month. This is the 4th annual conference organised by A Call to Men, The National Association of Men and Women Committed To Ending Violence Against Women in the United States. The ESRF sponsorship of the successful applicant to this conference includes airfare, 3-nights accommodations, conference fees, and a per diem to cover the cost of mealsand transportation.

ESRF Chairperson Rayle Roberts will also be attending the conference, which will be held 21 and 22 May, and is reported to be an unprecedented gathering of men and women coming together for the purpose of increasing their knowledge while strategising and organising as a collective effort to end domestic violence, sexual violence and all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. ESRF is offering the sponsorship in an effort to increase male involvement locally with these issues, a release from the foundation said.

A Call to Men (www.acalltomen.com) believes that ending violence against women is primarily the responsibility of men. They state that historically it has been almost entirely women who have been at the forefront addressing this issue, and they think it is essential that men play a primary role in the solution to end it.

"We realise that the majority of men are well-meaning and do not engage in acts of violence against women; however it is precisely these men that don’t see themselves as a part of the problem who are a critical part of the solution," stated Roberts. With one of its objectives as a life free of violence for all, the ESRF aims to be an active change agent to engage men in addressing the issue of ending violence against women in the Cayman Islands.

Men who work directly with boys and/or men in the Cayman Islands are encouraged to learn more about the criteria for the sponsorship by downloading the application form at www.esrfoundation.org.ky. The deadline for submitting the application for the Stand Up and Speak Out Conference Sponsorship is Tuesday, 12 May, at 5:00pm.