In Dominica, a violence-prevention programme helps boys overcome gender stereotypes

Date: Tuesday, 20 November 2012

As a preventive strategy to reduce the prevalence of violence against women and societal violence overall in a region with one of the highest rates of rape in the world*, UN Women’s Caribbean Office and its partners have developed a community intervention programme for boys aged 13-16 that is challenging gender stereotypes while teaching teens how to build healthy relationships.

“The programme has taught me how to react not only to feelings that I have but situations that may occur during life,” said one of the young participants in Roseau, Dominica. “It also taught me how to behave around different sexes, because something that a guy may like, a girl may not like… It has taught me how to be a better person in life. It also helps me control myself, not only just physically, but mentally.”