International Men's Day, observed on November 19, focuses on men's health, improving gender relations, highlighting male role models, and promoting positive expressions of masculinity. Here is all you need to know about this day.
On November 19 every year, we celebrate International Men's Day to highlight the contributions of men to their communities, families and society. Since the 1960s, there have been calls to establish International Men's Day. The intention was not to compete with International Women's Day, conceived in 1910, but to highlight men's experiences and end gender stereotyping and discrimination.
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International Men's Day: History
International Men's Day gained popularity abroad when Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a Professor of History at the University of the West Indies, established IMD in 1999. He chose November 19 as IMD to commemorate his father's birth anniversary. He asked people to take advantage of this day and bring up issues concerning boys and men. Then he received support in the Caribbean, which later spread to countries such as India, South Africa, Canada, Singapore, Ghana, Australia, the UK, and the United States, among many others.
Significance of International men's day: This day is celebrated to encourage and recognize positive male role models, not celebrities, but ordinary men from the working class living a decent life. This day celebrates all the contributions of men to their community, society, family, marriage, child care and environment. It is also to shed light on the social, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.
The day is essential to highlight men's discrimination and abuse in the general societal, social service, setting and law areas. International Men's Day is an opportunity to promote gender equality and improve gender relations. It is a day that gives importance to creating a better and safer world where everyone can grow to their total capacity.
The theme of International Men's Day: This year's celebration is "Helping Men and Boys". The day is celebrated by organizing seminars, conferences, and programmes to talk about issues related to men.
Ways to celebrate it:
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