INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY ENCOURAGES MEN TO BE ROLE MODELS BY TEACHING THE VALUES OF BEING A MAN.

The significant contribution of the male employees within the Public Sector was brought into sharper focus with the observance of International Men’s Day on Thursday, November 19, 2020.  Permanent Secretary in the Department of the Public Service, Ms. Peggy-Ann Soudatt, said the occasion provided another opportunity to let the men in the public sector know how much they are valued. “Gentlemen, my sincere thanks to you on your positive contribution to the development of the Saint Lucia Public Service , your family, your church, your community and by extension Saint Lucia.  Continue the good work.  Do have yourself a wonderful International Men’s Day and stay safe,” she noted.  According to official figured obtained from the Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia, there are an estimated 5064 males employed in the public sector as of 2019.

The 2020 theme for International Men’s Day is "Better Health for Men and Boys", with emphasis on improving the health and wellbeing of the male population. Ms. Soudatt believes this theme is apt in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic which calls for both individual and collective responsibility.

The Department of the Public Service  joins with other sister agencies like the Department of Gender Relations in supporting initiatives like the newly launched “Boys to Men” Mentorship Programme, which  aims at sending positive messages to all Saint Lucia’s men.

International Men’s Day is observed globally in seventy countries, and encourages men to be role models by teaching the boys in their lives the values, character and responsibilities of being a man.