International Men's Day

International Men’s Day (IMD) is an international observance held annually on 19 November. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the position of men and boys in society, the challenges they face, and their social contributions; to highlight positive male role models; and to organize various activities within the framework of shared goals aimed at improving gender relations.

International Men’s Day is not officially recognized by the United Nations. This date also coincides with the United Nations-recognized World Toilet Day.

The idea of International Men’s Day was first proposed by Thomas Oaster on 8 February 1991; the event was launched on 7 February 1992. It was first celebrated in Malta starting on 7 February 1994, and later revived in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999.

This revival was led by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, Professor of History at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Teelucksingh proposed observing the day on 19 November in honor of his father’s birthday and defined International Men’s Day as a platform addressing all issues affecting men and boys.

An international committee formed during 2008–2009 contributed to the global expansion of the day and the establishment of six core principles. In 2010, the International Men’s Day Coordinators Network was established, broadening the reach of celebrations to a wider global audience.

The globally accepted six core goals of International Men’s Day are as follows:

1. Promote positive male role models: Not only celebrities and athletes but also men who live honestly and constructively in everyday life.
2. Recognize the positive contributions men make to society, family, home life, and the environment.
3. Focus on men’s spiritual, emotional, social, physical, and mental health and well-being.
4. Draw attention to discrimination against men in public services, societal expectations, and legal systems.
5. Promote gender equality and improve gender relations.
6. Contribute to creating a safer society where individuals can live without harm.

Thematic focuses have been designated for International Men’s Day over the years. These themes may vary according to local needs and are not mandatory. The themes by year are as follows:

• 2002 – Peace
• 2003 – Men’s Health
• 2007 – Healing and Forgiveness
• 2009 – Positive Male Role Models
• 2010 – Our Children’s Future
• 2011 – Giving Our Boys the Best Start in Life
• 2012 – Helping Men and Boys Live Longer, Happier, Healthier Lives
• 2013 – Keeping Men and Boys Safe
• 2014 – Working Together for Men and Boys
• 2015 – Expanding Reproductive Options for Men
• 2016 – Stopping Male Suicide
• 2017 – Celebrating Men and Boys in All Their Diversity
• 2018 – Positive Male Role Models
• 2019 – Making a Difference for Men and Boys
• 2020 – Better Health for Men and Boys
• 2021 – Better Relationships Between Men and Women
• 2024 – Positive Male Role Models

International Men’s Day is observed through classroom activities in schools, public seminars, forums, marches, conferences, artistic events, fundraising campaigns, parliamentary sessions, media initiatives, church programs, and various community activities.

Since 1999, activities have included:

• Workshops and panels,
• Awareness campaigns in educational institutions,
• Media broadcasts,
• Programs organized by civil society organizations and government institutions,
• Marches, symposia, and art exhibitions,

among other initiatives.

International Men’s Day has been observed in over 80 countries over the years.

These include:

• Trinidad and Tobago
• Malta
• Australia
• India
• United Kingdom
• United States
• South Africa
• Canada
• Brazil
• China
• Pakistan
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Ireland
• Peru
• Chile
• Argentina

International Men’s Day has no central governing body; it is described as a global grassroots movement. The International Men’s Day Coordinators Network, established in 2010, is a broad network that facilitates communication among volunteer participants in different countries.

Men’s Health: International Men’s Day emphasizes various dimensions of men’s health. These include physical health (e.g., male-specific diseases, life expectancy), mental and emotional health, and social and spiritual well-being.

Male Suicide and Mental Health Risks: A report citing data from England^【1】 shows that male suicide rates are higher than those of females, particularly concentrated among men aged 40–54, and that this issue is addressed within the framework of International Men’s Day. It also notes that men are less likely to seek help.

Disparities in Education: Studies have presented statistical evidence that boys perform at lower academic levels than girls in certain educational stages, and this issue is addressed within the framework of International Men’s Day.^【2】

Homelessness and Social Vulnerability: Data indicate that a large proportion of people living on the streets are men.^【3】 This is one of the social vulnerability issues highlighted during International Men’s Day.

Violence and Abuse Against Men: Men can also be victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, abuse, forced marriage, and honor-based crimes. These issues are addressed through awareness campaigns on International Men’s Day.

Shared Parenting and the Role of Fatherhood: One of the topics addressed on International Men’s Day is the challenges men face in parenting. Particular emphasis is placed on divorced fathers, access and custody arrangements, and the social visibility of the paternal role.

Gender Equality and Bias Against Men: One of the goals of International Men’s Day is to draw attention to societal biases, stereotypes, and discrimination against men. This includes making visible the inequalities men may encounter in public services, societal expectations, and legal processes.

Positive Male Role Models: A central focus of International Men’s Day is to make visible positive male role models in society. This theme is explored in the context of recognizing men’s contributions to society.

Men’s Social and Economic Contributions: International Men’s Day is defined as a day that recognizes men’s social, economic, cultural, and familial contributions.

Societal Expectations and Pressures on Men: Structural problems and societal expectations related to men’s gender roles are also among the focal points of International Men’s Day.