International Men’s Day (IMD) is celebrated on November 19 every year and is marked in around 80 countries worldwide. It is a great opportunity to take part in a global conversation about manhood, masculinity and men’s issues.
Why we have an International Men’s Day
Celebrating men and boys in all their diversity
Highlighting some of the social issues that men and boys face
Making a difference for the men and boys in your community
Objectives of International Men’s Day:
There are wide variety of ways you can mark International Men’s Day. As a general rule, the majority of celebrations share one or more of the following objectives:
Making the world a safer place for everyone – Providing a platform to discuss sensitive issues such as suicide, depression, and domestic abuse that might be stigmatized for men.
Valuing male role models – Celebrating men who lead by example and provide positive images for boys and young men.
Acknowledging the contribution of men and boys – Recognizing men’s contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care.
Improving male health – Raising awareness of mental, physical, and emotional health challenges that men face, from mental health issues to life expectancy gaps.
Tackling discrimination and disadvantage – Advocating for equality and emphasizing the importance of respectful relationships across all genders.