International Mens Day 19 November

Beginning in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, every year the nineteenth day of November has been observed as International Men’s Day. This day has had a special significance for men across the globe as it it signifies that one day in the year when men can celebrate themselves. The commemoration is supported by the United Nations and is celebrated in several men’s groups in the USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

The day is celebrated to bring to the forefront issues related to boys’ and men’s health, improving gender relations, promoting equality between genders and highlighting positive male role models. According to the website, www.internationalmensday.com, “It is an occasion for men to highlight discrimination against them and to merrily celebrate their achievements and contributions to community and family.”

According to Satish Mathur, 36, a resident of New Delhi, “It is important for men to have a day to celebrate themselves, because we make up half the population and play several positive roles in the family, community and world at large.” He goes on to compare the day for women with that of men, “Women need a day to highlight their importance, and bring to the forefront several ways. But nobody knows that there are many men and boys who are discriminated against. A day to highlight such issues is an excellent positive step in the direction of gender equality.

The day not just commemorates the significance of men in our lives, but also takes the time to celebrate male role models who are not sportspersons or movie stars, and in the words of their website, “but every day, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.”

Here’s a great way to recognise the involvement of men in the world today and use it as a platform to educate men and women about the several important gender issues that need to be talked about and discussed openly.