On May 16, 2018, Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a staunch advocate for balanced gender awareness from Trinidad and Tobago, quietly launched a global calendar event called “The International Day of the Boy Child.” Unlike its girl child-focused counterpart, the initiative received only modest attention from the media, the NGO community, and policymakers.

Seven years later, in 2025, the day is still not widely recognized or officially acknowledged by the United Nations, but continues to be celebrated nonetheless, gaining relevance particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. At a time when contemporary challenges such as school dropouts, toxic masculinity, mental health issues, and various forms of abuse affecting boys have become pressing community concerns, local organisations and grassroots groups are stepping up with advocacy efforts and social media conversations.

One such initiative was led by the Precious Children’s Arts Organisation (PICA), a Zimbabwean project aiming to promote performing arts culture among African children which held a commemorative fête for May 16 in Harare. We caught up with PICA’s founder and director, Chipo Basopo, to discuss the day and its broader significance. With over two decades of experience working with CHIPAWO, Chipo offers a broad and well-informed perspective on youth development.

EM: Thank you, Chipo, for joining us in this conversation, where we are reflecting on The International Day of the Boy Child, another child-focused initiative. Why is it necessary? Would you say that current child welfare policies have become too focused on the girl child, “unintentionally” neglecting the needs of boys?

CB: Thank you for this interview. I am really honoured to be part of your magazine feature. The International Day of the Boy Child is necessary because it gives us a moment to reflect on the unique challenges boys face, challenges that often go unnoticed or unspoken. While great strides have been made in empowering the girl child, this has unfortunately sometimes led to an imbalance, where the boy child is unintentionally overlooked in policy and programming. It is not about competing priorities, it is about ensuring that both girls and boys have equal opportunities, support, and attention to thrive.

EM: With your extensive experience working with children, would you say that cultural norms significantly influence how boys perform and behave in everyday life? In what ways?

CB: Absolutely. Cultural norms deeply shape how boys behave and perceive themselves. From a young age, boys are often told to “man up,” suppress their emotions, and be tough. This creates pressure to conform to rigid gender roles, which can affect their academic performance, self-expression, and mental health. Cultural expectations often discourage vulnerability, yet that is exactly what many boys need: space to be heard, understood, and supported without judgment.

EM: There is growing advocacy for redefining masculinity in a way that is healthy, inclusive, and empowering. From your perspective, how practical is this shift? How can it be achieved without appearing to completely reject traditional masculine identity?

CB: Redefining masculinity is not only practical, it is urgent. It must be approached with sensitivity. We do not need to throw away traditional values; rather, we can reshape them. Values like responsibility, leadership, and protection can coexist with empathy, emotional intelligence, and respect for others. This shift starts with conversations, role models, and inclusive education. It is about expanding what it means to be a man not cancelling it. We must adapt to change and learn how to coexist with global shifts.

EM: There have been rising reports of sexual assaults in all-boys’ schools, often involving people in positions of trust. Do boys have equal access to post-trauma care and support compared to girls?

CB: Unfortunately, boys often do not receive the same level of care or attention after trauma. There is still a stigma around boys speaking out, especially about sexual abuse. Many suffer in silence, afraid of being judged or not believed. We need to strengthen safe reporting channels, trauma-informed counselling, and awareness campaigns targeted specifically at boys. Support services must be not only gender-inclusive but gender-responsive.

EM: How does PICA equip the boys under its mentorship to cope with social pressures such as drug abuse, violence, and premature sexual activity?

CB: At PICA, we believe in early intervention through mentorship, dialogue, and creative expression. We create safe spaces for boys to talk openly about their experiences, fears, and pressures. Through theatre and workshops, we equip them with knowledge, self-confidence, and life skills. We started noticing that the boys in our programmes were very supportive of the girls and had a lot of knowledge and understanding about issues affecting them but when asked about themselves, they would shy away or make excuses. Later, they began to open up through relaxed conversation. So we started addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms of risky behaviours, while promoting a positive identity and sense of purpose.

EM: In recent years, more girls have graduated from tertiary institutions than boys in Zimbabwe. This trend has partly been attributed to pro-girl policies at national and institutional levels. Do you believe boys are now being unintentionally sidelined in the education system?

CB: It is a complex issue that deserves a deeper look into its root causes. But yes, there are indicators that boys are falling behind in education. While empowering the girl child remains crucial, we must avoid a zero-sum approach. Boys also need targeted support to stay engaged in school. Issues like lack of mentorship, socio-economic pressures, and limited male role models in the education system contribute to high dropout rates. Policy must be inclusive of both genders if we are to truly leave no one behind.

EM: What role does the family especially fatherhood, play in shaping the emotional and social development of the boy child?

CB: Fathers and male figures play a crucial role in shaping boys’ emotional and social development. A father being a model gives boys a healthy reference point for masculinity, allowing them to be both strong and vulnerable. Where fathers are absent, mentorship and community involvement become even more important. Boys need to see positive examples of manhood to emulate, and families are the foundation of that learning.

EM: PICA recently held a celebration for The International Day of the Boy Child in Harare. It must have been a memorable event filled with fun and energy! Could you share some key highlights? What impact did it leave on the boys who participated?

CB: The celebration in Harare was vibrant, meaningful, and empowering. We had everything from self-defense sessions and open talks with mentors to fun team-building games. Inspirational figures like Mono Mkundu encouraged the boys to speak up and not remain silent. Uncle Joe Nkani spoke to the boys about “having a name” asking, “What name are you?” Organisations like Childline Zimbabwe, SAYWHAT, and Boys Engage reassured the boys that they are not alone. We focused on emotional wellness, discipline, and celebrating boyhood in all its uniqueness. Many boys said they felt seen, valued, and motivated. That is the impact we aim for, boys leaving knowing they matter, their voices count, and their futures are bright. Mukomana anoda kunzwikawo, tese tiri vanhu! (A boy wants to be heard too. We are all human!)