MEN from across Suva and Ovalau gathered yesterday in Nabua to discuss how they can play a greater role in addressing social challenges affecting their families and communities.
The Men’s Archdeaconry Rally, held at St Matthew’s Anglican Church, brought together almost 100 men from grassroots communities across Suva and Ovalau.
Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna, who was a key speaker at the rally, said the gathering provided an opportunity for men to discuss challenges affecting their communities and consider how they could contribute to addressing them.
“Men need to be discussing these issues, and of course the church also plays a very important role,” he said.
“Issues like teenage pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, drugs and the role of men which are affecting families and churches, it all needs greater discussion.”
Mr Tubuna said the Government was also calling on churches to be active in addressing social challenges faced by communities.
He said men did not always take such issues seriously, which was why the rally was organised to bring them together to discuss their role in addressing the problems.
The rally also encouraged Indo-Fijian and non-iTaukei communities to participate and share their views.
“It also promotes and enhances social cohesion between different ethnic communities.”
He said the gathering was more organised than previous rallies and provided an opportunity to look beyond the spiritual aspects of church life and discuss issues affecting families.
Among the ways forward, Mr Tubuna said families should hold regular meetings to discuss issues affecting them.
