International Men's Day is an opportunity for every man to contribute to society by promoting goodwill and values larger than life. Men and women are like the two wheels of a vehicle, and together only they can render harmony, pace and progress in society. The day is as significant as "International Women's Day" when our world struggles and strives for gender equality in our community. Every year on 19th November, the world celebrates this day dedicated to one-half of humanity. The day is about raising awareness about men's responsibility and encouraging self-motivation so that all individuals can participate and contribute in their limited capacity.
International Men's Day – How it Started?
Mr Thomas Oaster inaugurated the project of International Men's Day on 7th February 1992, although the project was conceived a year earlier. Later it was resumed in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the university there. Much later, in 2009, the Six Pillars of International Men's Day - the broad objectives for International Men's Day were set and rolled out.
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International Men's Day – Broad Objectives
- To promote positive male contributions through role models and not limited to male celebrities only. Men from all walks of life were asked to participate in the annual event
- Communicate men's positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and the environment
- Emphasizing men's health and wellbeing
- To identify discrimination against men in all areas of our society
- To focus and fight for equal gender relations
- To create a safer, better tomorrow
The world today observes International Men's Day in different parts of the world in different ways. They could be in the form of classroom lectures in schools and universities, debates, quiz contests, panel discussions, art exhibitions and any other roadshow. The end objective is to bring the men's community together and work for a better world, better tomorrow.