Dear Editor,

It is most unfortunate that the range of issues highlighted by Minister Olivia Grange recently was selectively dissected at a time when we finally have a minister of gender who does not sing the neo-feminist sankey.

In a presentation that can be described as being on point, Minister Grange repeatedly stated “no excuse for abuse” in advising of the launch of the said campaign. In her sensitisation, she lamented the killing and beating of women by men, which she emphasised must stop.

She addressed the inappropriate touching of females by men and sexual harassment in the workplace, castigating how far men will go to penalise these women when their inappropriate advances are rejected. A similar plea was made to the women: “Don’t provoke yuh man! Don’t guh scratch scratch dem up because yuh hear seh him have another woman… Man a human being too.” This couldn’t have been put any better, especially in the context in which men usually feel that they are not seen that way when it relates to gender matters.

As a male myself, I was particularly excited when the minister spoke of the coming Sexual Harassment Bill. It is an open secret that men are the main purveyors of sexual harassment — an unwelcome practice that I would not want my mother, wife, sister, or daughter to be exposed to. It was particularly gratifying to learn of the much-needed shelter for abused women being close to a reality. This will avert a vexing issue that has, for the most part over many years, led to the battering and possibly the eventual killing of our women.

There is no doubt in my mind that significant gains have been made now, even more than before, as pertinent issues relating to both men and women are being addressed front and centre, which is a new and refreshing paradigm. There is still some way to go, but men want representation in gender too.

Michael A Brown Sr

mictech4u@yahoo.com