Men in Kwale County have been urged to speak openly about mental health challenges and domestic abuse as stakeholders plan safe spaces where they can seek help without fear of stigma or discrimination.
The initiative will form part of activities planned by the county government to mark International Men’s Day on November 19, with stakeholders calling for stronger support systems to address challenges affecting men and their families.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ planning meeting at the Kwale Cultural Centre, Stephen Mutua, a Business Relationship Officer at Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, said cultural expectations often discouraged men from expressing their emotions or seeking professional assistance.
“Through these platforms, men are able to open up and talk about the issues affecting them,” Mutua said.
He noted that community dialogues involving men had revealed cases of male survivors of domestic abuse who remained silent because of fear of stigma and societal judgement.
“When we talk about GBV, it is often associated with women alone. But we have encountered cases of men being abused at home,” he said.
Mutua called for stronger referral systems and the establishment of gender desks at police stations to enable male survivors to report abuse and access appropriate support services.
He said his organisation works with government agencies and community leaders to help men understand their rights and challenge harmful cultural beliefs that prevented open discussions about gender-based violence.
Mutua also urged communities to embrace women’s empowerment, saying it should not be perceived as a threat to men’s traditional roles within families.
He observed that empowering both men and women could improve household decision-making, strengthen family relationships and enhance economic wellbeing.
He cautioned that negative attitudes towards women’s empowerment could discourage some parents from investing in their daughters’ education, limiting their opportunities for personal economic development.
Meanwhile, Joseph Karinga, a member of the Kwale County Gender Technical Working Group, said the planned International Men’s Day celebrations would focus on mental health awareness and encouraging men to seek professional assistance when facing emotional difficulties.
Karinga observed that some men suppressed their struggles or turned to alcohol instead of seeking appropriate support, potentially worsening their mental health challenges.
He urged men to begin by sharing their concerns with trusted friends and seeking professional counselling when necessary.
“Step number one is opening up, urging men to share their struggles with trusted friends and seek professional counselling when necessary,” he said.
Karinga called for a shift in cultural beliefs that equated emotional vulnerability among men with weakness, saying supportive environments could encourage them to discuss their challenges and seek help without embarrassment.
The stakeholders said this year’s planned celebrations would be guided by the theme, “The Future Is Everyone,” emphasising the need for men, women, families, government agencies and community organisations to work together in addressing social challenges.
They expressed hope that the November 19 event would encourage men to understand their rights, prioritise their mental wellbeing and participate actively in preventing gender-based violence.
By Chari Suche
