November 19th is seemingly International Men’s day (IMD). On the surface it might appear like an unprecedented notion that has come into existence. Better late, than never. Ladies, have a heart. If you can have your day, so should men. Precisely! With words like lumber-sexuals (men that keep finely trimmed beard) trending highly on the social media, the resurgence of men centric trends and psyche is making the headlines.
Why shouldn’t a man get to feel special with a day solely dedicated to him. Why should not he be showered with discount offers at stores, salons etc.? Think about it! Both men and women are yin and yang to the society. Both are indispensable to each other.
Indian Scenario
We celebrate Women’s day with great pomp and show, but when it comes to Men’s day, we seem to be apprehensive commemorating the day. But, we thought of transforming it. Out here we have laid down some of the much popular social awareness campaigns carried out in spreading the significance of the day or to put it manhood.
- Old Spice campaign – It is basically all about manhood. Even it’s tagline smell like man has spoken much about the product.
- Nivea – shave it or save it! This campaign even saw female celebrities rendering support.
- Be MARD – Man against Rape and Discrimination spearheaded by Farhan Akhtar to sensitize the society about the physical and mental abuse against women. In Hindi the word “mard” denotes man. He further flaunted a mo- the symbol of real men.
International Men’s day is a time for several individuals to reflect on the contributions, sacrifices and development made by the opposite sex in our society. Such progress includes that of men working towards areas like education, economic , social and technological advancement would have been possible. That goes without saying the importance of both the sexes is vital in running the system.
International Men’s Day (IMD) is a significant day to memorialize all the good things about men and boys around us. Acknowledge and celebrate the invisible heroes of everyday. Those who do not even come in limelight for the humongous and imperative work they do for us. It is time we even honor men for all their positive contributions to the world, just like women counterpart are given their due. We must pray for the health, well-being and security of men and boys. In order to seek just and fairness for men and boys. This day reminds us to come together to stop misandry and to reinforce respect for masculinity. It is famously celebrated as an annual international event celebrated
IMD as it popularly known is an yearly international event celebrated on November 19th. Initiated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, the day and it’s events trace support from all corners of the world. Countries like Australia, the Caribbean, North America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the United Nations. Since then it became more and more popular with over 60 countries celebrating it, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Australia, India, China, United States, Romania, Singapore, Malta, United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, Pakistan, Cuba.
The objectives of celebrating an International Men’s Day with emphasizing on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, fostering gender equality and emphasizing positive male role models. It is an occasion to underline discrimination against men and boys and celebrate their achievements and contributions, in specific for their contributions to community, family, marriage and child care.
Early stalwarts of IMD provocated that the day is not only intended to compete against International Women’s Day, but is for the purpose of throwing some light on men’s experiences in life. Each year a secondary concept or theme is suggested, such as peace in 2002, men’s health and well being in 2003, healing and forgiveness in 2007, role models in 2009. It is not binding on the participants and they are free to make any independent theme as well of their choice. Certain parameters laid down at the celebration of International Men’s day were as follows:
- To ameliorate gender relations and foster gender equality.
- To commemorate men’s good and sound contributions to society, community, faith and religion and to mother nature.
- To foster positive male role models not just in strong message giving mediums like movies and sports but also the normal man taking life head on everyday.
- To emphasize on men’s health, well being, spiritual inclinations and physical attributes.
- To highlight discrimination against men in areas of work as social service, social responsibilities, law and order.
The ability to sacrifice your needs on behalf of of others is necessary to manhood, as important as honour and respect. Men make numerous sacrifices everyday that goes futile as no one cares to address them, taking them for granted. Every day at work station, in the role as father, son, husband, for family, friends, relatives and nation.
International Men’s Day is an opportunity or a second chance to make up for the negligence shown up them. Why only women’s role in our lives is appreciated starting from biological liability of bearing one’s own baby to doing household chores, multi tasking. We can’t tend to be double minded when it comes to the contribution made by men folks.
Social initiatives that can be taken are as follows:
- Empowerment of boys is focus area that needs immediate attention.
- Boys falling behind in education has become a international trend.
In India, the situation is generally referred as girls being the neglected race and boys touted as capable of outgoing boys” in academic performance. Although a lot of encouragement and incentives are rendered to send girls to school and to keep them from dropping out , no significant step is taken in this direction.
Social activists and educationists have also observed that boys are supposed to support the family, the need to earn taking precedence over the desire to learn particularly in times of financial crisis and such compelling the boys to opt out of school and take to work.
