Beyond a Man, Boychild Activation

By Purity Benjamin

Men’s mental health and wellbeing have gained growing attention in recent years, yet remain underrepresented in global health dialogues. Thousands of conferences and forums worldwide address general mental health each year, only a small fraction estimated at less than 2% focus specifically on men’s mental health issues such as depression, suicide prevention, and emotional resilience.

On the 15th of this month, a Men’s Conference will be held at Elsa Hotel, Meru, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event aims to host insightful panel sessions and discussions centered on men’s mental health, empowerment, and creativity. In attendance will be notable figures such as Kenton Mutethia, a renowned boychild advocate , Mary Fridah an author and mental health speaker Den Arts a talented drawing artist and Purity Benjamin, an editor and storyteller.

The conference is hosted by Edith Sonnie a mentor, author, model, and boychild advocate in partnership with Rock Sand Homes and Certified Homes.

Edith’s passion for uplifting the boychild stems from her background as a teacher, where her keen observation revealed that many men struggle with identifying their identity and expressing themselves. This realization inspired her to dedicate her efforts to inspiring, educating, and empowering men on issues often overlooked by society.

Edith recalls a personal moment that deeply shaped her advocacy journey. When her son was three years old, she noticed him often trying to wear her makeup, draw eyebrows with an eye pencil, and apply lipstick. What initially seemed funny gradually struck her as a sign of identity confusion. This incident opened her eyes to a broader societal issue many boys grow up unsure of what it truly means to be a man.

She began asking her students reflective questions like, “Do you know what it means to be a man?” The responses revealed that many young men lacked guidance, particularly in today’s modern world where traditional rites of passage have faded. Driven by her zeal to fill these societal gaps, Edith took the issue seriously and began hosting sessions that empower the boychild. Over time, she has been invited to numerous interviews and talks, where she continues to shed light on boychild advocacy and inspire others to take part in nurturing confident, self aware young men.

As an educator and writer, Edith Sonnie acknowledges that her experiences have profoundly shaped her journey. She emphasizes the importance of speaking from both male and female perspectives, recognizing that while experiences differ, emotions like pain, suffering, and rejection are universal. Motivated by this understanding, she has taken it upon herself to host conferences that educate and empower men while providing safe spaces for open dialogue. “This year, we will be hosting the third Men’s Conference at Elsa Hotel in Meru. The previous ones were held at Chuka University,” she added

The theme of this year’s conference, Beyond a Man, reflects the core values that need to be nurtured and refined in today’s society. Targeting men aged 15 and above, the event will encourage intergenerational learning allowing younger men to gain wisdom from older ones in an environment that feels like a father and son conversation.

Edith highlights that the intended impact of the conference is to leave every participant inspired, purposeful, and well equipped to face life’s challenges while improving their overall wellbeing and relationships. She also envisions inspiring men to take a more active role in civic leadership and community development. Additionally, the conference seeks to build strong networks among men with shared goals and aspirations.

She recalls an incident where, after providing a safe platform for the boychild, one young man openly sought help after experiencing suicidal thoughts. For Edith, this moment reinforced the importance of creating safe spaces where men can express vulnerability and seek guidance without fear of judgment. She believes that when platforms aimed at boychild activation are taken seriously, they can help young men discover their purpose and understand what is expected of them. “I encourage open conversations both in schools and at home, where boys can express themselves emotionally and learn to handle their experiences,” she added.

In addressing criticism and misunderstanding surrounding her advocacy, Edith says she remains grounded by remembering her purpose to ensure men are treated fairly, just as women are. She stresses that both parents and schools play a crucial role in shaping young men’s values, noting that mentorship programs and open conversations between teachers, students, and parents are essential in guiding boys to grow into responsible, value-driven men.

Edith also calls upon women to support boychild activation, expressing her hope to see more women join the movement. She warmly appreciates every lady who takes the initiative to support the boychild, emphasizing that collective effort from both genders is key to building a more balanced and understanding society.

NGOs play a vital role in empowering the boychild by offering mentorship, counseling, and awareness programs that address mental health, education, and life skills.The government supports the boychild by developing inclusive policies, funding empowerment initiatives, and integrating gender balance in education and youth programs.