Boys taught cooking is not a gender role

Forty boys and men participated in a potjie cooking competition in Windhoek at Xwama, last Friday.

The men engagement event was hosted by the One Economy Foundation that falls under the office of first lady Monica Geingos.

Head of programmes Kaarina Iita said Friday’s #BeFree Cook -Off competition marks the second edition.

The competition aimed to teach adolescent boys and young men how to cook a perfect chicken potjie and to educate them that cooking is not a gender role and encourage interaction among all male groups to strengthen positive anti-violence values and actions

It also aimed to create a platform to deconstruct gender stereotypes and harmful cultural norms and beliefs, among others.

Kireneus Kevanhu, the third prize winner of the cook-off competition, said he was proud of himself and felt relaxed cooking among other men.

“I also felt creative, putting all ingredients together and putting off a tasty potjie which impressed the judges. The competition made me feel responsible and being part of the change of seeing men in the kitchen, at the same time boosting my confidence to cook for my family.”

The competition consisted of a mentor, who taught a mentee how to create a nutritious meal.

The 40 participants were divided in two groups, with both groups using the same ingredients, but different recipes.

One of the three judges and chefs, Juliana Jason, said the winning dishes had the most tender and flavoured chicken.

Clinical psychologist Edwina Mensah-Husselmann highlighted the impact of sexual gender-based violence on the mental health of boys and men.

Mensah-Husselmann also urged men to consider training as male therapists, as women are dominating the field, yet male victims mostly prefer men therapists to open up to when they face mental health challenges.

Dr David Emvula, a gynaecologist, spoke on infertility in men, saying couples should support each other and both should seek medical care when encountering difficulties in conceiving, because infertility affects both genders equally.

Speaking at the same event, local musician Martin Morocky, popularly known as King Tee Dee, who is the face of voluntary medical male circumcision, emphasised the importance of circumcision and called on men and boys who are not yet circumcised to get a smart cut to reduce chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Two inmates from the Windhoek Correctional Facility, who were guests at the event, shared their experiences and the offences that landed them in the facility.

Ricardo Katzao (37), who was convicted for rape in 2014, advised men to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse, as it can be a contributing factor to most crimes committed.

Richard Hange (35), who was convicted for murdering his girlfriend in 2011, has urged men to control their anger and jealousy, adding that once an act has been committed it cannot be undone.

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