Men’s Day Message

| 19/11/2014

In bringing this year’s message for International Men’s Day, I want to focus on our individual selves, because if we don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t be capable of measuring up to this year’s theme of “Working together for men and boys”. If we, as individuals, set priorities and adopt standards that we take into consideration in everything we do, I believe the Cayman Islands would be the envy of the world, not necessarily because of our financial standing, but because we would be seen as a community of values and morals that dictate our daily lives.

This year’s theme was chosen in an effort to encourage greater cooperation in addressing the issues that affect men and boys all over the world.  Six areas of focus – or pillars – were identified for International Men’s Day: Working together to promote positive male role models; celebrate men’s positive contributions; focus on men’s health and well-being; highlight discrimination against males; improve gender relations and improve gender equality; and create a safer, better world.

We know there are men and boys in our community who are living decent and honest lives. I would go so far as to say that those males have clear standards and priorities in their lives.

Society is also being encouraged to celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family,marriage, child care and the environment. We see it daily in the Cayman Islands when males give of themselves by volunteering, take care of their families and nourish their marriages.  

I believe our health and wellbeing are our individual priorities. We must be seen to be taking care of ourselves and seek out help when we need it.

While it is a given that the Cayman Islands society has long been considered male dominated, there is evidence of discrimination here on our shores. That has to end.

It is the sixth pillar – to create a safer, better world – I believe we achieve through our individual actions. And I am not talking about selfish actions. Our individual, human actions can lift someone up or tear them

down. Through them we can be positive male role models, make good stewards to our communities and families and help end discrimination.

Fittingly, this year the Family Resource Centre is encouraging all men in the Cayman Islands to take the CayMAN Pledge, which commits them to improving themselves in all facets of their lives. That in turn strengthens our community and benefits the lives of others who live among us. It is for this reason why I have committed as the country’s Premier to uphold the principles contained in the pledge and I would encourage others to join me as we celebrate International Men’s Day this year.

In closing, I leave you with the words of Tony Award winning actress Phylicia Rashad who said “Everything you do, every thought you have, every word you say creates a memory that you will hold in your body. It's imprinted on you and affects you in subtle ways – ways you are not always aware of. With that in mind, be very conscious and selective”.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Viewpoint

About the Author ()

Comments (35)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    Classic example of "It is better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

    When will the Caymanian people realize they could and should do better.

  2. Anonymous says:

    This was about as interesting as staring at a blank white wall for an hour! Straight trash! Further more to end with a quote from a woman seeing as though your speech was intended to highlight males, rather than that of a man who has forever changed the way we live (ghandi, Churchill) was the height of your stupor.

    grand heffe

  3. If it quacks like a duck... says:

    Woefully poor and inadequate message.  No wonder standards are so low!

  4. Fred the Piemaker says:

    I thought it was promising a Men's Day Massage.  Disappointed. 

  5. Anonymous says:

    Men's contribution to the world- every war in human history and the urinal.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Another UN initiative on this day, gives quite  a different message about men: http://www.un.org/en/events/toiletday/

  7. Anonymous says:

    Did the Premier even read this? LOL the claim made that there needs to be more focus on men's health!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Oh yay, a day to recognize and celebrate men's contribution to society. Because they don't normally do that every day.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I would like to relieve myself on the sixth pillar.

  10. Anonymous says:

    cut and paste from the internets…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  11. Anonymous says:

    International Men's Day? Are 364 days of patriarchal power and priviledge not enough? 

    So if Feb. is Black History month, will there be a White History month?

    • Whitedatis says:

      It runs from March 1st thru Jan 31st. No one unnastans our struggles!

       

       

       

    • Anonymous says:

      You are a racists for even suggesting that 97.4% of all whites are neither rich nor powerful.

    • Anonymous says:

      Every month is white history month, that is the point. We are taught to believe that the only history is white history.

      Quite different with Men's Day, though. Every day is women's day. Much more fuss is made over Mother's Day than Father's Day. Valentine's Day is all about the woman, not the man. Even the wedding day is all about the bride, not the groom. Now we hear that accusations of rape should always be believed and 30 year delays in reporting it should not be questioned because women are always truthful. We are plagued by feminism.

  12. Anonymous says:

    This is 100% pure unadulterated BS.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Is there a computer that churns out these meaningless speeches?  No human could write this stuff and not lose the will to live. 

    • Anonymous says:

      LMAO Was thinking exactly the same thing.  What a load of rambling nonsense.  Who the heck wrote this 'passionate, believable' speech?

    • Anonymous says:

      – 01:00.Judging from your very negative post ,it seems that you lost that will a long time ago.My suggestion is for you (in the spirit of the message)show some young man a random act of kindness,perhaps it will help him become a better person.While you are waiting for that to happen ,help another one,then perhaps before you know it you will have a reason to stick around a little bit longer.

      • Anonymous says:

        You are so right.  And first random act is coming right now. And YOU are the lucky lucky beneficiary. Learn to use the comma properly.  First how it looks. The sequence is WORD, COMMA, SPACE, WORD not WORD, SPACE, COMMA, WORD.  You really do make this mistake time and time again all over CNS.  Once you have mastered Comma Typing 101 we can move on to "Remedial How To Use Commas In Sentences". 

        • Anonymous says:

                 06:06.  Since you have chosen to offer up a "not so random act of criticism" instead of a random act of kindness, I wil suggest that you read it again. If you are having difficulty understanding it ,then I suggest that you look up the definition of kindness .However I believe that you understood exactly what I intended since you stated "You are so right". Therefore I have to think that you would rather be nasty than nice.Hope I am wrong about you.

          • Anonymous says:

            Another comma fail.  Try again.  And now you are making the same mistake with full stops.  Is this all too much for you?

            • Anonymous says:

                 09:39.Too bad that you are unable to defend your position and resort to this.

  14. Ni-Ni says:

    Boys will be boys. Let we play. All night long!

     

  15. Anonymous says:

    Mister premier, try to live of 800 a month.

    You live in a different world than the rest of us.

    Please keep your comments to cocktail parties etc.

     

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Had you studied hardier such as to know the difference between "of" and "off" then there would be a material chance that your earnings would be substantially in excess of $800 a month.  The point of the message is to encourage boys to engage in education.  Otherwise they end up impoverished and angry like you.

      • Spell Checkers says:

        "hardier"??

        Yo dog! If you're gonna be all pedantic try not to piss on your own back leg………

         

      • Anonymous says:

        There are some well educated that are impoverished and angry. That is the new generation of lazy Caymanian men. Women should work to support their lazy behinds. 

      • Anonymous says:

        'hardier'….LOL

      • Anonymous says:

        Many people do not have the option of going to college.

        Many people don't have the brain capacity.

        And who is picking up the garbage, work in the supermarket and clean the yards ? Don't these people have a right to live comfortable ?

        Is it only YOU that deserves it ?

        • Anonymous says:

          So you are advocating income tax to assist the comfort of those thatare unable to make a significant economic contribution to society?

    • Anonymous says:

      Nice chip on your shoulder.  I like cocktail parties.  I suspect you are not invited to many.