"Men are not the problem but they have a problem"

These were the words of the First Lady Monica Geingob speaking at the #Befree Cook-Off event" aimed at empowering a boy child and engaging men.

The #Befree Cook-off provides a platform for men to speak on issues that they go through and are not confident enough talk about. Topics such as sexual reproductive health, gender-based violence, and fatherlessness are just some of the few that don't receive the attention they need. 

The  #Befree cook-off is also aimed at empowering both genders and eradicating the age-old notion that cooking is only for women.

She says that factors such as anger and negative emotions that translate into action eventually destroy people, hence men are not the problem but they have a problem. 

Men also go through a lot dealing with issues such as mental abuse and rape, however many do not want to seek help and end up carrying out criminal acts which come with devastating consequences.

Also speaking at the occasion was an offender, Richard Hange. Hange narrated his story of how he grew up without a mother, in an abusive environment where members and it landed him in jail.

He encouraged men to put surrender their masculinity and reach out for help.

The Governor of Hardap Region Salomon April says traditional beliefs need to be reviewed to speak to contemporary issues and to better tackle the issues that men face.

At the event, eighteen men participated in the cooking competition, where the top three winners walked away with shopping vouchers.