Every November 19, International Men’s Day is celebrated. According to PAHO, its purpose is to raise awareness about men’s health and seek gender equality. Even so, there are specialists who do not agree that the date exists.
In 1992, the professor at the University of Missouri, Thomas Oaster decided to observe every November 19 as International Men’s Day. The initiative was approved by Ingeborg Breines, the director of the UNESCO Women and Culture of Peace Program, as well as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
“Helping boys and men live longer, happier and healthier lives. Topics included the health situation of men in Latin America and the Caribbean, and issues surrounding “masculinities” and health”
defines PAHO.
Although the date is not official as March 8, International Women’s Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies usually hold events and awareness activities around November 19.
The Coordination Committee for International Humanitarian Law laid the bases for the date in 2009.
What do you celebrate on Men’s Day?
- The promotion of positive and non-stereotyping male role models.
- The celebration of man’s contributions to society, the family, the care of children and the environment.
- Raise awareness about men’s health and well-being issues, both physical and emotional.
- End discrimination against men in social attitudes and expectations.
- Improve gender relations and promote equality.
Criticism of Men’s Day
However, women’s organizations and gender specialists have been critical of the date. “Men live in a society that prioritizes and privileges them, ” Gabriela Bard Wigdor, a doctor in gender studies and researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (Conicet) , told the Sputnik radio program Zona Violeta.
However, women’s organizations and gender specialists are not in favor of the date. “Men live in a society that prioritizes and privileges them,” Gabriela Bard Wigdor, a phD in gender studies and researcher at Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research(Conicet), told Sputnik’s radio program Zona Violeta (Conicet).
“I do not agree with this demand for Men’s Day, which arises as a contrast to Women’s Day, because we are the ones who are in positions of subordination of power and we need a day to remember these problems”
she says.