The Men Empowerment Network has urged men to control their emotions and temper in order to stop violence against women.

MEN co-ordinator Paul Isaac Morrell said there was a need for men to stop the premature deaths of women through violence.

“As men, we need to stand up, step up and take a stand against any acts that truly do not define our true nature,” he said.

Mr Morrell said the organisation supported the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in its fight to stop violence against women.

“We want to help men become better citizens. A better man means a better nation,” he said.

“Domestic violence is just one part which MEN want to address and we want to reduce it.

“Sometimes men bottle up their emotions and don’t share it with anyone and a time comes when they just explode and resort to violence.

“We want to help men by talking to them and counselling them.”

Mr Morrell said his organisation does not support violent behaviour, especially against women.

“But sometimes violence is the last resort we men have because we have things bottled up and there is no outlet.

“We want to train men to treat themselves, their spouse, partner, children and others in a humane way.

“There is a need for men to control their emotions and temper and to share whatever they are going through rather than bottling things up.”

Mr Morrell said an awareness programme would be conducted by the organisation in Lautoka on September 21.

The venue for this programme will be announced later.

MEN was formed and registered recently to address problems faced by men.

Some men are known to be suffering in silence because of various issues they are going through in their personal lives, including the home front.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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