International Men’s Day

Every November 19th, International Men’s Day (IMD) offers a moment for global reflection on the contributions, well-being, and challenges facing men and boys worldwide. Far from being a counterpart to International Women’s Day, IMD is a vital day dedicated to addressing issues of men’s health, celebrating positive male role models, and highlighting the positive value men bring to their families, communities, and nations.

The Six Pillars of International Men’s Day

The foundational goals of IMD are anchored in what are known as the Six Pillars of International Men’s Day. These pillars provide a framework for celebration and action:

1. To Promote Positive Male Role Models: Not just celebrities, but everyday men living honest, decent lives.
2. To Celebrate Men’s Positive Contributions: Focusing on community, family, marriage, child care, and the environment.
3. To Focus on Men’s Health and Well-being: Highlighting the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health challenges men face.
4. To Highlight Discrimination Against Men: Particularly in areas like family law, social attitudes, and systemic bias.
5. To Improve Gender Relations: Promoting gender equality and improving relationships between genders.
6. To Create a Safer, Better World: Acknowledging the sacrifices men make and their potential to contribute to a more equitable society.

Addressing the Health Crisis: Silent Struggles

Perhaps the most critical function of International Men’s Day is to confront the persistent health challenges and mental health crisis affecting men. Statistically, men are less likely to seek professional help for both physical and psychological ailments and are often encouraged to suppress emotional vulnerability.

This silence has devastating consequences, most notably in men’s mental health and suicide rates. In nearly every country, men are disproportionately affected by suicide. IMD provides an essential platform to shatter the harmful stereotype that “real men” don’t talk about their problems. The day encourages:

• Open Dialogue: Normalizing conversations about stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Preventative Care: Encouraging regular check-ups and proactive health management.
• Emotional Literacy: Promoting the development of emotional intelligence in young boys and men.

Celebrating Positive Masculinity and Role Models

The modern conversation around gender often scrutinizes the outdated, toxic aspects of masculinity. While this is necessary, IMD shifts the focus to the positive attributes that men embody. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the fathers, mentors, teachers, volunteers, and leaders who demonstrate:

• Integrity and Responsibility: Being dependable and holding themselves accountable.
• Nurturing and Care: Actively engaging in parenting, caregiving, and community support.
• Courage: Both physical and, more importantly, moral courage—the ability to stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult.

By promoting these positive role models, the day helps define a healthier, more constructive ideal of what it means to be a man in the 21st century, one rooted in empathy and strength, not dominance or stoicism.

Fostering True Gender Equality

A common misconception is that focusing on men detracts from the goal of gender equality. In reality, IMD is a powerful tool for achieving it. True equality benefits everyone, and this includes recognizing areas where men face unique challenges, such as:

• Parental Rights: Advocating for equal recognition and rights for fathers in family courts.
• Educational Attainment: Addressing the fact that boys often lag behind girls in certain educational metrics.
• Societal Expectations: Challenging rigid, limiting gender roles that pressure men into specific jobs or behaviours, often forcing them to ignore their well-being.

By acknowledging the unique hurdles men face, IMD contributes to a more holistic vision of gender relations where both men and women are free from restrictive stereotypes and can thrive without unfair social pressure.

Moving Forward

International Men’s Day is a movement that transcends a single calendar date. It is an annual call to action, urging communities, governments, and individuals to dedicate resources and attention to men’s well-being and development.

The most effective way to celebrate the day is to take part in the conversation: check in on a male friend, mentor a young boy, share positive stories, or simply acknowledge the good men who have made a difference in your life. By prioritizing their health and celebrating their positive contributions, we build stronger families, better communities, and a more equal world for all.