“Free men are the strongest men.” ~ Wendell Willkie
KEY TAKEAWAYS
International Men's Day (IMD), celebrated on 19th November is a day of global awareness emanating from the need for deterrence of parental alienation, abuse, homelessness, suicide and violence that men combat.
The multifarious objectives for celebrating International Men’s Day are prescribed in ‘The Six Pillars of International Men's Day’.
Initially inaugurated on 7th February 1992 by Thomas Oaster, the Men’s Day project was first conceived in 1991. The event was later rejuvenated by Jerome Teelucksingh, who chose the date of 19th November in honour of his father.
The theme chosen for IMD 2024 is “Men's Health Champions”, the primary objective being the proliferation of men’s health.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
History and Background
Significance
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
Commemorated globally on 19th November, International Men’s Day (IMD) is acclaimed for recognising and combatting Men’s health issues. It serves as an occasion to celebrate the lives of Men and Boys by honouring their achievements and contributions in various facets of the nation, union, society, community, family, marriage, and childcare.
Raising awareness for supporting men’s and boys’ wellbeing and promoting a positive conversation about manhood and masculinity through inclusivity is paramount for addressing issues wrangling men’s rights.
Unfortunately, unlike International Women's Day, International Men’s Day is not officially recognised by the United Nations. This proves to be quite a setback in the recognition of Men’s issues.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
International Men’s Day was inaugurated in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago. A precursor to this, during the 1960s, began an ambivalent deliberation on the propitious need for an International Men’s Day which was equipoised against the International Women’s Day which was already recognised globally. Particularly in 1968, an American journalist John P. Harris wrote an editorial in the Salina Journal emphasising a lack of balance in the Soviet system which actively promoted an International Women's Day for the female workers without promoting a corresponding day for male workers. He argued that this system resulted in an inequality between the genders. He wrote, “makes much of the equal rights it has given the sexes, but as it turns out, the women are much more equal than the men". He advocated for an equivalent day for men to uplift their daily toils and adversities they face.
The historical significance of IMD essentially celebrates issues that are distinctive to the experiences of men and boys, promoting positive role models, which is especially deemed necessary in a social context which is often fascinated with images of males behaving badly.
SIGNIFICANCE
The International Men’s Day draws reliance majorly from six pillars and serve as its primary objectives:
To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sportsmen but everyday working-class men who are living decent, honest lives.
To celebrate men's positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, childcare, and the environment.
To focus on men's health and well-being: social, emotional, physical, and spiritual.
To highlight discrimination against men in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
To create a safer, better world, where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.
Along with the six pillars, various themes are designated for every year’s edition of Men’s Day ensuring a positive change towards Men’s health issues that imperil their well-being. Some previous themes were, ‘Positive Male Role Models’, ‘Making a Difference for Men and Boys’, ‘Better Health for Men and Boys’, ‘Better Relations between Men and Women’, ‘Zero Male Suicide’ etc.
The theme for 2024 is "Men’s Health Champions". By building healthy communities where men can thrive and learn by helping each other, issues can be mitigated.
CONCLUSION
International Men’s Day signifies the need for recognition and augmentation of Men’s rights. The recent decades have seen a harrowing surge in depression and suicide rates among men, thereby making it pertinent to provide amelioration to men grappling with issues.
International Men’s Day serves as a pathway and catalyst to promote the well-being of men – both mental and physical. This creates a deep sense of acceptance among the youth and the adults.
Optimising this day to the fullest extent possible has become predominant throughout the world. This can be achieved by raising awareness and reducing the stigma concerning men and their issues.
“International Men’s Day is an opportunity for people everywhere of goodwill to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society for the greater good of all.”
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