Men’s participation in social development
What roles do men play in the development of society?
This was the topic at the national forum “Social Development – Men’s Participation” at the government house Nov. 25th to discuss the challenges and solutions to societal problems.
During the forum, many social challenges related to men were brought to the table. For example, men make up nearly 49 percent of the population with an average life expectancy of 65 years, while women’s average age is 10 years longer. “We must work together to find the root cause of problems like this, and provide a solution to it as well,” said Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag.
World Vision Mongolia actively took part in the event with intriguing facts. Operating in Ulaanbaatar city as well as 16 other provinces, the humanitarian organization reaches out to over 370,000 children, bring forth their voices and wishes. The international NGO said most commonly, children express through their behavior, drawings and stories that they desire to grow in their parents’ abundant love, protected.
“Because of challenges at a family level, there is a high percentage of dropouts, particularly with boys,” said World Vision Mongolia’s Country director Vincent Edwards.
During the forum World Vision Mongolia delivered three key messages including:
- Mongolia’s family value system could be further strengthened by encouraging families to providing better and equal education opportunities for boys, so they can develop into well-adjusted youth and men that participate in society.
- Consider enforcing the Law on Combating Domestic Violence and Child Protection and also focus on family reunification and rehabilitation support so that so children can live safely with their families.
- Develop a youth-friendly policy that provides life-skills training and introduces mechanisms for youth participation in policy development. This will support youth to grow into healthy adults that develop respectful relationships.
After days of the seminar, the participants will submit their recommendations to the government of Mongolia.