Editor,

RE: "Fathers are key to shaping their sons' gender outlook” (The New Times, September 8).

Toxic masculinity and fragility are the root cause of this very serious social ill. People in general and Africans in particular have a responsibility to de-colonize their minds and unlearn all myths inherited from our colonial masters if we are going to break down the barriers that exist in society, based on gender.

The African continent has a lot of work to do when it comes to gender as a socially manufactured construct. But first we had to start from scratch by UN-focusing on genitalia when we are having "any” end "every” human interaction.

Ali Rukariza