Author tackles men’s suicide issues

Valerie Mpundu

RISING author and social commentator, Takudzwa Chiwara, is tackling men’s issues, which are prompting them to commit suicide in his latest book “Father’s Agony and Other Stories”
The book’s release coincides with the month of November which has been renamed “Movember” in support of men’s health issues.

Movember is a portmanteau of the Australian-English word for moustache, “mo”, and “November”. During Movember, men grow mustaches/beards (some do not shave their hair) to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues.
This year’s theme is “Zero Male Suicide”.

In an interview, Chiwara made reference to two chapters from the book namely “A propensity for Failure” and “The Businessman’s Treachery”, which touched on the theme.

“Both characters in these stories are confronted by formidable challenges that lead them to suicide,” he said.

“Pressures from work and marriage-related conflicts can be enabling factors. As we transitioned to modern day life, we reneged on following our old practices that helped men like holding men’s meetings.”

Chiwara encouraged men to speak out.

“Men used to meet and deliberate on issues affecting them while handling the pressures. Lately, that has not been happening. We believe in bottling up our issues to prove that we are strong.”