Nov 19, 2024, Posted by: Ra'eesa Moosa
Honoring Men's Contributions on International Men's Day 2024
International Men's Day, celebrated every year on November 19, aims to honor the various contributions of men towards society, families, and communities. It's a day to spotlight the positive achievements of men, appreciate their impact and foster conversations about gender equality and men's health. The theme for 2024, as reported by various sources, highlights 'Positive Male Role Models.' This theme serves as a reminder of the importance of guiding younger generations by example and promoting the champions of men's health.
This dedicated day has its roots tracing back to 1992, when it was first proposed and later revived in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago. The movement initially aimed to bring focus not only on men's contributions but also on critical issues faced by them, including male health and the pervasive impact of toxic masculinity. Over the years, this celebration has bloomed into an international movement, creating spaces for events, discussions, and awareness campaigns across various nations.
The Significance of Addressing Men's Health and Well-being
One of the major pillars of International Men's Day is bringing attention to men's health and well-being. Men face significant health challenges, often influenced by societal expectations and stereotypes about masculinity. Many activities on this day are focused on health initiatives providing free health check-ups and promoting wellness. These initiatives aim to break down the barriers that many men face when seeking help and encourage an environment where men can openly discuss their health concerns.
Educational programs enrich understanding and encourage dialogue about men's health issues, aiming to reduce stigma and promote healthier lifestyles. It's critical to engage both men and women in these discussions to foster a more inclusive understanding of health issues, aiming to dismantle stereotypes and build a community supportive of health and well-being for everyone.
Positive Role Models: Inspiring the Next Generation
The 2024 theme, 'Positive Male Role Models,' is central to the celebrations of International Men's Day. This theme underscores the importance of showcasing men who inspire and lead by example, creating influential and motivational figures for young boys to emulate. Celebrations involve workshops and seminars addressing mental health, exploring gender roles, and challenging societal stereotypes. These dialogues invite individuals to reflect on the diverse ways men can contribute positively to society and provide guidance.
Community events and public campaigns spotlight men who are making a difference in their fields or within their communities. By highlighting these individuals, the movement aims to showcase the values of kindness, strength, resilience, and respect, inspiring future generations to pursue similar paths of positive impact.
Spreading Gratitude and Appreciation
Many individuals use International Men's Day as an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to the men who significantly impact their lives. This day offers a platform for people to send messages of thanks and admiration to fathers, brothers, mentors, colleagues, and friends who have positively influenced them. Sharing messages through various platforms such as texts, social media posts, and personal notes becomes a way to connect and strengthen bonds, reinforcing the importance of gratitude in building meaningful relationships.
The campaign encourages everyone to pause and reflect on the men who have shaped their life journeys. Acknowledging their efforts, sacrifices, and achievements not only boosts men's morale but also fosters a culture of positivity and mutual respect. Messages shared on this day celebrate men for who they are, recognizing their invaluable roles and contributions in various facets of life.
Building a Future of Equality and Understanding
At its core, International Men's Day serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility in advancing gender equality and understanding across societies. By encouraging conversations around men's issues and celebrating their contributions, the day’s observances promote a dialogue aimed at dismantling harmful stereotypes and supporting the development of a balanced world.
Through education, awareness, and appreciation, International Men's Day pushes societies towards greater empathy and understanding. The goal is to recognize the individual and collective achievements of men while advocating for their health and well-being. This celebration also challenges communities to offer more supportive environments, fostering growth, collaboration, and respect for all genders. As the observance of International Men's Day continues to grow, the conversations it inspires become increasingly integral to the global pursuit of a more equitable and understanding society.
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Comments
Akash Vijay Kumar
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. My dad never talked about his struggles, even when he was clearly overwhelmed. He just kept going. Now I realize how much that silence cost him-and how much it costs so many men. Maybe we need to stop waiting for them to ask for help and just start asking them, 'How are you, really?'
It’s not about fixing anything. Just being there. Listening. No advice. No judgment. Just presence.
November 20, 2024 AT 06:07
Dipak Prajapati
Oh great. Another day to glorify men while ignoring that 90% of homeless people are male, suicide rates are sky-high, and schools are failing boys left and right. But sure, let’s all clap for the ‘positive role models’-the ones who probably never had to fight for basic dignity in the first place. Meanwhile, girls get scholarships and mental health programs. Men? ‘Just be strong.’
November 20, 2024 AT 20:15
Mohd Imtiyaz
I work with a lot of young guys in tech. Most of them don’t know how to express vulnerability. They think crying = weakness. But I’ve seen the opposite: the guys who admit they’re struggling? They’re the ones who grow the fastest. It’s not about being tough. It’s about being honest.
Try this: next time someone says ‘I’m fine,’ ask ‘What’s one thing you’re proud of this week?’ Not ‘what’s wrong?’ Just celebrate the small wins. It changes everything.
November 21, 2024 AT 00:35
arti patel
I’ve seen men carry the weight of the world while being told to smile and shut up. My brother didn’t cry at our mother’s funeral because he thought it would make him look weak. He broke down three years later, alone, in his car. That’s not strength. That’s trauma masked as discipline.
November 21, 2024 AT 14:33
Nikhil Kumar
The real win isn’t just celebrating men-it’s changing the systems that make it hard for them to be human. Schools need emotional literacy. Workplaces need mental health days that aren’t just ‘take a day off if you’re suicidal.’ And media needs to stop equating masculinity with stoicism.
We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for basic humanity.
November 21, 2024 AT 19:11
Priya Classy
This is all performative. You think posting a ‘thank you dad’ meme on Instagram fixes the fact that men are 3x more likely to die from preventable diseases because they avoid doctors? The system isn’t broken-it’s designed this way. Men aren’t the problem. The silence is.
November 21, 2024 AT 23:57
Amit Varshney
It is imperative to acknowledge that the societal construct of masculinity has, for centuries, imposed upon men an expectation of emotional suppression, thereby contributing significantly to adverse psychological outcomes. The promotion of positive role models must be institutionalized through educational curricula, corporate wellness programs, and public policy initiatives to effect sustainable cultural change.
November 22, 2024 AT 18:52
One Love
Let’s make this day about more than just saying thanks 🙏 Let’s make it about showing up. Hugging your brother. Asking your coworker if he slept. Taking your son to the doctor even if he says he’s fine. Small acts. Big impact. We can do this 💪❤️
November 22, 2024 AT 21:09
Vaishali Bhatnagar
My uncle taught me to fix cars and talk about feelings. He was a mechanic and a poet. I wish more men got to be both
November 22, 2024 AT 23:44
Abhimanyu Prabhavalkar
Yeah right. Positive role models. Like the guy who got promoted while his female colleague stayed silent? Or the dad who never missed work but missed his kid’s graduation? We’re not celebrating men. We’re celebrating the myth.
November 23, 2024 AT 22:16
RANJEET KUMAR
I run a community kitchen. Every morning, 30 men show up. Some are homeless. Some are dads. All of them say thank you. Not because they’re grateful for food. But because someone remembered their name. That’s the role model we need more of: presence over prestige.
November 24, 2024 AT 05:01
Dipen Patel
My dad worked two jobs. Never complained. Never talked about it. I didn’t realize how much I admired him until I started having panic attacks at 28. He never had therapy. But he showed up. That’s enough. That’s everything.
November 24, 2024 AT 14:51
Sathish Kumar
Life is hard. Men are tired. We need to stop pretending we are okay. Just say it. I am tired. I am scared. I need help. That is not weakness. That is real.
November 24, 2024 AT 22:50
Mansi Mehta
You know what’s really toxic? The idea that men have to be the heroes. What if we stopped expecting them to carry everything? What if we just let them be human?
November 25, 2024 AT 21:39
Bharat Singh
My son asked me yesterday why men don’t cry. I told him they do. They just do it in the dark. He hugged me. I cried. He didn’t say a word. Just held on. That’s the future right there 🤝
November 26, 2024 AT 13:17
Disha Gulati
This is all part of the gender war agenda. Men are being manipulated into feeling guilty for being men. The real issue? Feminism turned into a weapon. Watch how fast the media ignores male suicide rates but screams about ‘toxic masculinity.’ Wake up. This isn’t about help. It’s about control.
Author
Ra'eesa Moosa
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.