The ‘Empowered Responsible Men’, engagement provided men with emotional intelligence and a sense of responsibility and empowered them to be positive role models in their communities, which took place from 10 to 11 September.
Sponsored by the Capricorn Foundation in partnership with Capacity Grow and the Response Action-based Organisation the programme will create a lasting impact by encouraging participants to share what they have learned with others.
Capricorn Group stated that fifteen men from various areas were selected for the programme and were provided with tools and materials to help them present the training programme to men in their communities to increase its impact. “Topics covered included conflict management, communication, stress management, leadership, emotional intelligence, and emotional debt,” they added.
Director of Capacity Grow, Siegfried Lange said men are expected to be pillars in their communities and if they lack emotional management and accountability, they may fall short of these exceptions, negatively impacting their communities. “The lack of emotional intelligence, unresolved past experiences, and the lack of responsibility among men may significantly impact well-being, interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, and societal stability. For this reason, there is a need to invest in empowering men with the necessary tools to take responsibility in their communities,” he added.
He said an engagement in emotional intelligence coupled with helping participants to let go of past trauma and instilling a sense of responsibility may improve men’s mental health, relationship quality, family dynamics, and societal contributions. “The intervention ‘Empowered Responsible Men’ aims to achieve just that,” he emphasised.
Executive Officer at the Foundation, Marlize Horn said they are committed to fostering positive change by investing in men’s emotional well-being and accountability, which ultimately contributes to the health and stability of entire communities. “The Foundation strongly believes in the power of collaboration to achieve greater impact. Capacity Grow, and the Response Action-based Organisation are two separate projects that we support. We are delighted to support them since they have partnered for this initiative,” she added.
The Foundation said the empowerment is essential for personal growth and creating a sustainable ripple effect within the community. “The equipping men to become leaders in emotional intelligence and responsibility, the initiative hopes to nurture stronger, more resilient communities,” they emphasised.
They said the programme marks the beginning of what is hoped to be a broader, long-term initiative and the success of the programme in Windhoek’s informal areas may lead to future expansions to other parts of Namibia. “The goal is to create a critical mass of empowered men who can positively influence their families, peers, and communities by fostering emotional intelligence and reprehensibility,” they concluded.