International Men's Day 2022

Every year on November 19, International Men's Day is observed celebrated to observe and mark the achievements of men in the fields of culture, politics, and economics. The day also commemorates the achievements of men and boys and their contributions to society, the family, the community, and the nation as a whole.

International Men's Day aims to promote healthy masculinity, better gender relations, male role models, and men's health. It's also a chance to celebrate guys who do not fit the traditional mold of traditional masculinity, including homosexual and bisexual men, transgender people, or men who identify as non-binary.

When Is International Men’s Day 2022?

Although it was initially observed in February, International Men's Day is now being recognized on November 19. This year also, International Men’s day will be observed worldwide on Saturday, 19th November 2022.

Why Is International Men's Day Celebrated

The main focus of International Men's Day is to honor the good contributions that men make to society at large. As November also happens to be now called as "Movember," a month-long celebration where men grow their beards and mustaches to increase awareness of issues affecting male health, such as testicular cancer and prostate cancer, being in November has special importance. Additionally, Children's Day also happens to fall during this month.

The following are the goals for observing an International Men's Day as stated in "All The Six Pillars of International Men's Day":

1. To promote good male role models—not just athletes and actors, but regular working-class guys who lead morally upright lives.

2. To recognize the beneficial contributions made by males to the environment, the family, the community, and society as a whole.
3. To emphasize men's social, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and wellness.
4. To draw attention to discrimination against men in the legal system, social services, and cultural norms.
5.  To promote gender equality and better gender relations
6. To build a better, safer world where people can live freely and develop to the fullest of their abilities.`

History Of International Men's Day

There has been a call to declare an International Men’s Day since at least the 1960s, when it was being mentioned that "Many men have been pushing quietly to declare February 23 International Men's Day, similar to March 8, which is International Women's Day.

An editorial by American journalist John P. Harris in 1968 criticized the Soviet system for being unfair because it promoted an International Women's Day for female employees but did not provide a male counterpart. Even though Harris thought that there should be a day to honor women, the communist system was flawed because of the day.

Since then, there have been repeated calls for establishing an IMD. These calls have taken the form of rhetorical inquiries about gender equality, such as "Why do women have an international celebration and not men?" Time and again, however, they have remarked like "Men have a right  to deserve a day of recognition for their own contributions and concerns" i.e., not just something that is  analogous with International Women's Day.

The day was revived in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 by Jerome Teelucksingh of the University of the West Indies. Although there was a day to honor fathers, he realized there was no day to honor single men or young boys and teenagers. 

Teelucksingh was able to recognize the value of strong male role models as his father had set a great example for him. On November 19, which incidentally was also his father's birthday, his country came together to support a local soccer team's efforts to qualify for the world cup.

Since the revival of Teelucksingh, International Men's Day has been working to bolster the positive parts of male identity on the theory that - men respond more positively to positive role models than to negative gender stereotyping. The day for emphasizing the significance of men's experiences, positive masculinity, and men's physical and mental health and not to compete with International Women's Day in any shape or form.

Isn’t Everyday International Men’s Day

The date of International Men's Day is November 19. It's a chance to recognize the diversity of men and boys. The day is time and again used, to draw attention to some of the major societal problems that boys and men confront all through the world. These "men's concerns" are present everywhere, and they include:

• Of every four suicides committed, three are by men.
• Men account for two out of every three violent deaths.
• On average, men pass away 6 years earlier than women.
• Boys fare worse than girls at every level of education.
• There are several obstacles for dads who desire to be more active in their kids' lives.

Despite the abundant evidence that men and boys struggle with a variety of challenges affecting their physical, mental, and social well-being, many individuals continue to support rigid gender stereotypes and cliches like:

“Man Up”

Men "don't cry,"

Men and boys don't require help, and

International Men's Day is recognized every day.

The truth is that every day is not International Men's Day; only November 19 is assigned as International Men's Day. 

Why Is IMD Celebration Relevant Today

By encouraging men to open up and interact with others, International Men's Day hopes to increase awareness of issues relating to men's mental health as well as other societal and health-related concerns. If vulnerable men have to be safeguarded against these dangerous circumstances, the old conceptions of what masculinity entails in society need to evolve.

Boys and young men now need to identify with positive role models that represent the actual attributes of masculinity as prejudices and discrimination begin to fade away in our culture. Kindness, generosity, inner strength, and fluid, open communication are among them.

November, along with International Men's Day, provides a beautiful opportunity for our worldwide culture to show those who need to see it the real face of masculinity.

Many well-known men are now supporting International Men's Day, opening up dialogue, and taking ownership of how they represent this new trend of masculinity.

International Men's Day aims to inspire men to impart to the other younger men and adolescents in their life the virtues, character, and duties of being a man. According to Mahatma Gandhi, we must ourselves be the change that we want to see in others. Only when both men and women set the example will we be able to build a just and secure society where everyone has the chance to succeed.

How Is International Men’s Day Celebrated In Different Countries

Different nations observe IMD differently, focusing mostly on topics that matter most to the local population. Such as, In UK, because men are three times more likely than women to commit suicide, it is crucial to acknowledge male suicide on International Men's Day (as reported by Samaritans, an emotional support charity).

Uma Chulla, an Indian men's rights advocate, began the celebrations in India in 2007. The goal of  these celebrations was to show the appalling abuse that males endure in the nation's anti-male justice system. Other subjects covered include abdominal fat, which is becoming a growing worry for Indian males, and fatty changes in the liver.

On this day, many donate to organizations that support men's health causes, and create and distribute posters promoting men's mental health and other activities.

Although International Men's Day had been established after International Women's Day, which had been formed in 1910, it is still a fantastic method to help end discrimination and gender stereotypes. This may contribute to developing a safer and better world where everyone can reach their full potential and positively impact society.

Can Anyone Celebrate International Men’s Day?

On November 19, 2022, everyone is being invited to celebrate International Men's Day.

International Men's Day acknowledges the wide range of laws, principles, and worldviews that impact men and boys in many societies to varying degrees. Additionally, there are a variety of laws, values, and attitudes that people of various genders and gender identities around the world hold.

The six core goals of International Men's Day, which apply to all males regardless of age, ability, social background, legal status, race, beliefs, or sexual orientation, provide everyone who wants to observe the day with the opportunity to work together toward what unifies humanity. Whoever wants to celebrate International Men's Day is allowed to do so, regardless of who they are.

International Men's Day Celebration Ideas

1. Give to a men's organization

There are many organizations which are helping guys live better lives. Some of these organizations work to stop the spread of AIDS and HIV while assisting people living with the virus to become healthier and more independent. (Despite the moniker, straight guys are also being helped by it.) Some health organizations and Cancer Foundations promote self-examination and work to increase public understanding of testicular cancer. Moreover, there are some charities and organizations which have been assisting males in leaving and recovering from domestic abuse and violence.

2. Find out more about lesser-known powerful men

Think about reading a book or seeing a movie about a remarkable man whose achievements still have an impact on the world today. Alan Turing, the man who contributed to the conclusion of World War Two and created modern computing, is the protagnist of a compelling drama in The Imitation Game. Who may be the powerful men that are you interested to learn more about?

3. Say hello to ‘men’ of your life.

Although it may seem like a great objective, forging healthy bonds with men has modest start. See how the male friends and  male family members are doing by meeting with them. If there’s  happiness at home, half the battle is won.

4. Bonding with Food

Managing a BBQ, catching up over coffee, or forming lifelong bonds over a monthly men's night in and around the kitchen table are just a few examples of the many men's mental health projects that bring men together around food and drink.

5. The Hashtag Help

 #InternationalMensDay# frequently trends at the top on and around November 19th every year, making it a major deal on social media. A straightforward, uplifting post may also produce good engagement. Men's mental health is always a much-needed topic, and many organizations use IMD to enlighten men in partnership with well-known mental health organizations. While some use the day to recognize male workers and volunteers, others involve men staff and service users in developing content for International Men's Day, such as the homeless charity

6. Reach out Online

Online events became the only way to connect with people during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though now it’s great to get back to meeting face-to-face again, conducting online events such as workshops or webinars on topics close to the hearts of men, can still be a great way to mark and celebrate International Men’s Day.

FAQs

• This year, what is the theme of International Men's Day

The goal of International Men's Day, which is being observed on November 19, 2022, is to recognize the good contributions that all the men make to society, their families, and their communities. This year's highlights will be positive role models and increasing awareness of men's well-being. ‘Helping Men and Boys' is the theme for International Men's Day in 2022.

• How do I celebrate International Men's Day as a woman?

As a woman, you can take this opportunity to celebrate all the men in your life on this day. You might like to thank some men who are positive male role models not just in your family, but also in your community and workplace.  You can use  IMD Appreciation Award certificates. You can download our posters and other resources from the official IMD website. 

Conclusion

Each year, International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19 to improve gender relations and promote unity. On this day, special recognition is being given in the form of celebrations for the contributions that men make to improve the quality of life in society.

This year, on International Men's Day, let us all give all the men a happy day - A happy Men’s Day. Choose your way to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the boys and men around you.  Feel free to give your accolades that highlight the best aspects of manhood in recognition of how men improve the lives of others around them. It is also a unique opportunity to honor the courageous men who serve in the military, law enforcement, and emergency medical services to safeguard our communities.