Why International Men’s Day is celebrated

Today is International Men’s Day, which is celebrated annually across the world each November.

International Men’s Day aims to raise awareness of issues impacting men and boys across the globe, including men’s mental health and societal pressures.

Each year International Men’s is focussed around a theme and this year is Positive Male Role Models. The last few themes include Zero Male Suicide and Better Relations Between Men and Women.

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The celebration is intertwined with Movember, which is a fundraising event to raise money and awareness of issues facing men. It began in 2003 and consists of men growing out their moustaches to raise money.

There are six key pillars of International Men’s Day:

To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but every day, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.

To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.

To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual.

To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law

To improve gender relations and promote gender equality

To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.

Although International Men’s Day is a recognised celebration in around 90 countries, it is less prominent than International Women’s Day which is celebrated on 8 March each year.

Like International Men’s Day, International Women’s Day also has an annual theme. Some recent themes include Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress and Gender Equality