Every year on November 19, over 80 countries around the world mark International Men’s Day. The day has grown to become a global observance dedicated to highlighting the experiences of men and boys.
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While the day is sometimes misunderstood or overlooked, its roots are grounded in decades of advocacy, research, and conversations about men’s wellbeing. As we celebrate International Men’s Day today, I thought it wise for us to step back to understand how this day started, why it matters, and what this year’s theme really calls us to do.
How International Men’s Day Began
The idea of dedicating a day to men is not new. Discussions around it date back to the 1960s, when various groups proposed establishing a day that would balance global commemorations like International Women’s Day.
However, the modern form of International Men’s Day dates back to the early 1990s when organisations in the United States, Australia and Malta held small events in February at the invitation of Thomas Oaster, who directed the Missouri Centre for Men’s Studies. Oaster successfully promoted the event in 1993 and 1994, but his following attempt in 1995 was poorly attended, and he abandoned plans to continue the event in subsequent years
On November 19, 1999, in Trinidad and Tobago, International Men’s Day was revived again through the efforts of Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies. He chose the date to honour his father’s birthday and to commemorate on that date in 1989, Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team united the country with their endeavours to qualify for the World Cup.
Dr Teelucksingh’s goal was simple: create a platform to acknowledge the positive contributions of men, address issues affecting their health and well-being, and promote better gender relations. From that moment, the idea spread. By the early 2000s, organisations and activists across the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia began to adopt the observance.
Here in Nigeria, Double Edged Impact Network, which is a membership-based non-profit organisation, has been holding events and other initiatives every November to celebrate the day. These initiatives include the Young Men Conference (YMC), the Young Men of Impact Awards (YOMIA), and the Walk for Positive Masculinity.
Why International Men’s Day Matters
Although the day celebrates men, it is important to point out that the day is not designed to overshadow or compete with International Women’s Day. Instead, its goal is to draw attention to specific challenges affecting men and boys that often remain under-discussed.
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The global pillars of International Men’s Day reflect this mission. They include:
- Promoting positive male role models
- Celebrating the contributions of men to family, community, and society
- Focusing on men’s health and wellbeing
- Addressing the challenges faced by boys in education and development
- Improving gender relations and promoting equality
- Creating a safer, fairer world for everyone
These pillars highlight issues that data continues to reinforce. For example, the World Health Organisation (WHO) consistently reports higher suicide rates among men globally.
In many countries, men are less likely to seek medical or mental health support. Boys also face performance and behavioural challenges in various educational systems. These realities show why the observance remains relevant.
The 2025 Theme: Celebrating Men and Boys
The theme for International Men’s Day 2025 is Celebrating Men and Boys. This direction shifts the focus from challenges to appreciation. Instead of centring only on the struggles men face, the theme encourages us to recognise the positive contributions of men in homes, workplaces, and society.
It challenges us to acknowledge the fathers who provide stability, the mentors who invest in young people, the boys who are growing into responsible adults, and the men who demonstrate integrity, kindness, and leadership in everyday life. It’s a reminder that while men have issues that need attention, they also have achievements worth highlighting.
For us in Nigeria, where cultural expectations of masculinity remain strong, the 2025 theme offers an opportunity to rethink how we view men and boys. It encourages individuals, brands, workplaces, schools, religious bodies, and media platforms to:
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- Highlight positive stories of men who are building communities
- Encourage boys through mentorship and education
- Promote open conversations around men’s mental and physical health
- Celebrate men who model responsibility, care, and service
- Support initiatives that help young boys develop healthy identities
International Men’s Day may fall on just one day, but the conversations it inspires should continue all year long.
So, reach out to a man you know today and wish them Happy International Men’s Day!
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