Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony and Minister for Health Hon. Alvina Reynolds issued two very distinct messages in commemoration of International Men’s Day.

On Wednesday, Dr. Anthony visited with students who honoured him for being a positive role model and making positive contributions to society, while at a separate event, Minister Reynolds issued a message in celebration of men’s contributions to family, community and country.

During his visit with students of the Grande Riviere Secondary School, the students read tributes and sang songs to show their appreciation for Dr. Anthony.

In response, he encouraged them not to feel encumbered by their circumstances, but to set goals and to work hard to achieve them.

“This is a very touching experience for me,” he said. “It’s not often that politicians are honoured while they are alive. Honour only comes long after you’ve made an exit from politics, and so what you did today will always have meaning for me.

“I am from a remote community, a little community that just knows a river and the sea.  But over time I was able to focus on my education and self development, become the leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, and later, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia. I am grateful to the people of Saint Lucia for having confidence in me, but the message that I want to leave with you is this, where you come from is not a barrier.”

For her part, Minister Reynolds encouraged men to continue to lead in their roles as fathers, husbands and nations builders. She said that society’s expectations of men can be harsh and unfair and advocated for a change in thinking.

“Despite many positive examples, men are typically seen as a problem and little effort has been made to include them in discussions on gender equality,” she said.

She further encouraged men to take charge of their health, as the burden of disease in Saint Lucia is 10 percent higher for men, compared with women.

International Men’s Day originated in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. The day was designed to shed light on the issues men and boys face.