FAME Foundation Advocates Stronger Support Systems for Boys on International Day of the Boy Child

FAME Foundation joins the global community to commemorate the International Day of the Boy Child, observed annually on May 16 to raise awareness on the importance of supporting boys’ mental health, wellbeing, education, and overall development while promoting positive masculinity and inclusive opportunities for every boy to thrive.

The day also serves as a reminder of the growing social, emotional, and developmental challenges facing boys across communities, including exposure to violence, peer pressure, substance abuse, poor mental health support, school dropout, harmful societal expectations, and limited opportunities for mentorship and positive engagement.

Speaking to the press, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive Director, FAME Foundation, described the International Day of the Boy Child as an important reminder that boys also require intentional guidance, mentorship, protection, and emotional support to thrive in society.

“Boys deserve to grow in environments where they are taught empathy, discipline, leadership, emotional intelligence, and respect for others. We cannot build peaceful and inclusive societies without intentionally investing in the proper development of boys.”

She stated that while conversations around gender equality and inclusion continue to gain attention globally, there is also a need to ensure that boys are not neglected in conversations around mental health, education, mentorship, and social development.

“Many boys are raised under unhealthy societal expectations that discourage vulnerability and emotional expression. We often teach boys to suppress emotions instead of teaching them how to communicate, seek support, and manage pressure in healthy ways. This has long-term effects on their wellbeing and behavior.”

She explained that addressing the challenges affecting boys requires collective action from parents, schools, governments, civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and community leaders.

“The responsibility of raising boys should not fall on one group alone. Families, schools, policymakers, and community stakeholders all have important roles to play in creating safe spaces where boys can learn positive values, feel supported, and grow into responsible men.”

She further emphasized the importance of sports, mentorship, and life skills education in shaping positive behavior among boys and young people.

“FAME Foundation continues to use sport as a tool for social development because it goes beyond physical activity. Sport teaches teamwork, discipline, confidence, leadership, respect, resilience, and accountability. These are essential values every boy should grow up with.”

She stated;

“We believe every child deserves equal opportunity to thrive regardless of background or circumstance. Supporting boys does not take attention away from girls. Rather, it strengthens the collective effort to build healthier families, safer communities, and a more balanced society.”

She also called attention to the importance of protecting boys from violence, abuse, exploitation, harmful social influences, and negative stereotypes that affect their confidence and future potential.

“Boys must be raised to understand respect, responsibility, and positive masculinity. We must create environments where they are encouraged to become compassionate leaders, responsible citizens, and positive contributors to society.”

She concluded by urging governments, development organizations, schools, parents, and stakeholders to continue investing in programs and policies that support the education, mental wellbeing, protection, and development of boys.

“The International Day of the Boy Child should remind us that every child matters. When boys are guided properly, supported emotionally, and given access to opportunities, society as a whole benefits. The future we want begins with the children we raise today.”