By Norbert Fidelis
ASABA/Nigeria: As the world marks the International Day of the Boy Child, stakeholders have been urged to pay greater attention to the emotional, educational and social development of boys, whose struggles are often overlooked in conversations about gender inclusion and child protection.
The annual event, celebrated every May 16, serves as a platform to highlight the well-being of the boy child and promote an environment where boys can grow to become responsible, confident and productive members of society. It also recognizes their contributions within families, schools and communities while advocating equal opportunities for growth and development.
For decades, global campaigns have largely focused on the empowerment of the girl child, with governments, international organizations and non-governmental bodies investing heavily in programmes aimed at protecting girls from abuse, discrimination and social exclusion. Popular slogans such as “Empower a woman, empower a nation” have continued to dominate advocacy campaigns across the world.
While these initiatives remain necessary and commendable, concerns are growing that the boy child is gradually being sidelined, despite facing mounting social and psychological challenges in many societies.
Across Africa and other developing regions, many boys are exposed to criminal activities, violent conflicts, drug abuse, internet fraud and social vices, often due to neglect, poor parental guidance and lack of proper mentorship. Some are recruited into armed groups and criminal gangs, while others abandon education because of inadequate emotional support and economic hardship.
Observers argue that societal assumptions that males are naturally stronger and more secure have contributed to reduced attention toward the welfare of boys. Many parents, particularly mothers, are believed to focus more on protecting and nurturing the girl child while assuming that boys can survive without the same level of care and emotional support.
Experts have also raised concerns that conversations around sexual abuse and mental health rarely include boys. Unlike girls who are frequently educated on safety, harassment and reproductive health, many boys grow up without guidance on abuse prevention, emotional well-being and healthy social behaviour.
It was against this backdrop that Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a lecturer from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, founded the International Day of the Boy Child in 2018. The day is now observed globally every May 16 to promote awareness about the unique challenges confronting boys and the need to create balanced opportunities for all children.
Advocates insist that promoting the welfare of the boy child should not be viewed as an attempt to diminish ongoing efforts toward girl child empowerment, but rather as a call for inclusiveness, fairness and gender balance in development policies and advocacy programmes.
They stressed the need for governments, NGOs, religious institutions and community leaders to introduce more mentorship programmes, workshops, counselling initiatives and empowerment schemes targeted at boys to help shape them into responsible future leaders.
According to campaigners, giving the boy child adequate emotional support, protection and access to education will help reduce crime, strengthen families and promote healthier communities.
This year’s theme, “Flourish and Thrive: Investing in Boys for Stronger Families and Communities,” underscores the importance of raising boys in environments that encourage discipline, compassion, innovation and responsibility.
Stakeholders say the time has come for society to embrace a more balanced approach to child development by ensuring that both boys and girls receive equal care, protection and opportunities to succeed.
“Empower the boy child, empower technology and growth,” advocates declared, while extending goodwill messages to boys across the world on the occasion of the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child.
