A NEWLY-ESTABLISHED non-profit charity organisation, What About the Boy Child, has launched an initiative aimed at supporting, mentoring and empowering the boy child, particularly in rural communities where development programmes have largely prioritised the girl child.
Vusumuzi Mlilo, the What About the Boy Child director, said the initiative was formed to close a long-standing gap in child-focused interventions and to ensure boys receive guidance, education and emotional support to grow into responsible and confident members of society.
“The organisation was officially launched on January 2 as part of a New Year resolution, inspired by my professional experience as a high school teacher working in the remote areas of Lupane,”Mlilo said.
“My personal life experiences also influenced the establishment of the organisation, noting that growing up without a male figure presented many challenges.”
He said the initiative seeks to promote positive masculinity that emphasises good character, respect and responsibility.
“The organisation advocates against gender-based violence and harmful stereotypes that discourage boys from expressing their emotions,” Mlilo said, adding that plans are underway to introduce guidance and counselling sessions and to create safe spaces where boys can freely share issues affecting their well-being.
“Many rural settings, boys are often socialised to believe that showing emotions is a sign of weakness, a mindset the organisation aims to challenge and change.”
Mlilo said the organisation has faced challenges since its launch, particularly in financial resources.
