A 2-day conference for 30 men and 30 in-school adolescent boys organized by the  Volta Regional Department of Gender has ended in Ho with a call on men to be supportive of the women in their lives.

In his speech, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa said men need to realize the important role women play in their lives and society and give them the needed care and support.

He said any initiative to engage men and boys on the issue of gender is very laudable because it creates a platform for people to understand the importance of gender equality, equal education, and career development for both boys and girls, as well as the devastating consequences of sexual and gender -based violence on their personal, societal and national development.

"This Gender-Equality Males' School initiative undoubtedly offers all of us an opportunity to raise a crop of men and boys who would serve as shining examples in our societies, and be helpful and supportive of other people, most especially our women, girls,  and other vulnerable groups," Dr Letsa said.

Dr Achibald Yao Letsa said the conference is centered on men who will work assiduously to promote gender equality and uphold the human rights of all persons devoid of discrimination in all forms.

"'Action for gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights for all; men and boys as key partners' is a carefully selected theme that I do not hesitate to identify with since it is a well-outlined and thought-provoking message that very much aligns with such an important occasion as we are witnessing today," Dr. Letsa said.

The Volta Regional Director of Gender, Mrs. Thywill Eyra Kpe, in her welcome address said gender equality is more than just a goal in itself. She explained that it is a pre-condition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.

Mrs. Kpe said the Gender Equality Males' Empowerment School was instituted with support from the UNFPA GPECM to create awareness for men and boys on issues of gender, gender equality, SGBV, and ASRHR, to provoke frank discussions on the implications of gender inequality, among others.

Mrs. Kpe added that the program was to develop the capacities of men and boys to transform gender relations, champion more positive masculinities and gender equality in their communities as well as provoke discussion among the identified male groups on how best they can mobilize male cohorts to address issues of gender inequality, adolescent pregnancy, and SGBV in their schools and communities.

She noted that despite the efforts of gender empowerment groups, advocacy for gender equality over the years has faced several setbacks due to the misunderstandings which are contributed to a void in many contemporary political debate on gender issues.

"Some of the most common misconceptions include the thinking that gender equality only concerns women and secondly that men are the enemies," Mrs. Kpe said.

Mrs. Eyra Kpe said that gender equality must rather be seen as an important step to developing societies that are sensitive to the challenges of its people and take pragmatic action to address them for more collective development.

The Regional Director for the Department of Social Welfare, Mrs. Stella Mawusi Mawutor said all sexes are important and there is the need for all to be empowered and also be encouraged to let go of the misconceptions about gender equality in society.

The program was organized by the Volta Regional Department of Gender under the auspices of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, with support from UNFPA.