NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development in conjunction with the International Men's Day Bahamas Team hosted a one-day Empowerment Seminar in observance of International Men’s Day (IMD) Monday, November 19.

Among the presenters were Spence Finlayson, Motivational Speaker; Elder David Williams, Regional Director, Prison Fellowship International; Terrance Bethel; Keith Cox; and Eric Fox, Anger Management Consultant.

Topics included: the Ten Commandments of Money Management, The Journey to Gender Equality, My Brother’s Keeper, and Anger Management.

IMD was founded in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad & Tobago. The manner of observing this annual day is optional.

IMD is based on the following pillars:

-To promote positive male role models: not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives

-To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment

-To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual

 -To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law

 -To improve gender relations and promote gender equality

 -To create a safer, better world where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.