November 19 is celebrated around the world as International Men’s Day. It is a day dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the men who contribute positively to our families, communities, and society at large.
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But this year’s edition came with yet another familiar scene of silence. Across social media, public conversations, and even in corporate spaces, the silence can easily be cut with a knife.
Now, compare that with the International Women’s Day (March 8) that continues to trend for days even after March 8th. You see competitions, campaigns, conferences, grants, donations, and brands dragging billboard spaces to celebrate the day.
But when it comes to International Men’s Day, everyone suddenly develops amnesia. Even the brands that tell you how gender-inclusive they are become quiet. Very few posts. Almost no campaigns. Almost no excitement.
No, I am not trying to begin a gender competition because International Men’s Day isn’t the ideological opposite of International Women’s Day. Both commemorations are important and necessary, as both men and women have challenges and issues they face that require attention.
So, highlighting this is to call us all to pause and truly reflect. This is because, regardless of where we stand, every one of us has men in our lives who, at one point or another, have shaped us, supported us, guided us, or stood by us.
We have fathers who worked hard to provide. Brothers who protected. Friends who encouraged. Teachers who believed in us. Mentors who lifted us. Colleagues who collaborated with us. Partners who strengthened us.
These men exist in our stories, and yet many of them don’t receive the recognition and acknowledgement they deserve.
Yes, I know that there are men who don’t live up to their responsibilities and exhibit the right values, but there are many other men who do. But what do we often see? Instead of celebrating the many good men we all know, the dominant narrative in society has become overwhelmingly negative.
Now, compare that to when we celebrate women. We know that there are a lot of women who don’t live up to the responsibilities of womanhood, yet we hardly hear of these women when conversations of International Women’s Day come up. It is always how women are great, amazing, and need more support.
For men? We increasingly paint all of them with the same brush, often highlighting toxicity, irresponsibility, or harmful masculinity.
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While it is important to call out unhealthy behaviours, it is equally important, and urgently necessary, to recognise the millions of men who are doing the right things daily: quietly, consistently, and without applause.
- Good men rarely trend.
- Good men rarely speak about what they do.
- Good men rarely take credit.
- But their impact is everywhere.
- These are the men who show up.
- The men who protect.
- The men who sacrifice.
- The men who teach, lead, guide, and support.
- The men who carry responsibilities on their shoulders while holding families and communities together.
- Unfortunately, in a world filled with loud negativity, these men are often overlooked.
This year’s International Men’s Day theme, “Celebrating Men and Boys,” is a timely reminder that society must learn to appreciate positive masculinity, not just critique the negative. If we want healthier families, better communities, and a more balanced society, then we must be intentional about celebrating the men and boys who are already modelling what healthy manhood looks like.
Celebrating good men does not diminish the importance of highlighting issues. It does not silence conversations about gender equality. It does not excuse harmful behaviour. Instead, it reinforces a simple truth: society becomes healthier when positive behaviour is recognised and encouraged.
When we celebrate good men, we create new role models for younger boys. We show them that strength and kindness can coexist. That leadership can come with empathy. That responsibility is not a burden, but a badge of honour. We remind boys that they do not have to choose between being emotionally intelligent and being strong; they can be both.
Celebrating good men also creates safer spaces for men themselves. Many men today struggle silently with mental health challenges, societal pressure, expectations to “man up,” and the fear of being misunderstood. When we all begin to acknowledge the positives, men feel safer to seek help, express their struggles, build healthier relationships, and live with purpose.
But most importantly, celebrating good men will help us all maintain balance in our society. Masculinity is not the enemy. The issue is not “manhood,” but the distortions of it. When we constantly speak about men only in the context of what is wrong, we create a false narrative, one that discourages the very men who are doing the most to make things right.
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So today, as we mark International Men’s Day, let us choose to appreciate the men in our lives, the ones who love, lead, guide, and support with sincerity. Let us remind them that their efforts matter. Their presence matters. Their strength matters. Their sacrifices matter.
And beyond today, let us learn to celebrate good men more often, not once a year, but every day.
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