Seezan Poudel

Published On: November 24, 2018 09:19 AM NPT By: Seezan Poudel

Equality for all

Equality for all

The 8th of March is a celebrated and important day for all the women. It is the International Women’s Day. You probably know about Women’s Day and might have learnt about it watching TV, reading newspapers or by observing a rally in your way to work. Conversely, did you know ‘International Men’s Day’ was observed this week? You probably don’t. November the 19th is observed as International Men’s Day. The date coincides with the birthday of the father of Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a doctor from Trinidad and Tobago who re-launched International Men’s Day in 1999.This day is acknowledged by 70 countries around the world including Nepal.

For all the men, Men’s Day also commemorates the fact that it is not a crime to be a man, and yes, man can act manly. This day is a chance for us to talk about high suicide rates among men, mental health support men aren’t seeking out and the problems with our narrow definitions of masculinity. The aim of International Men’s Day is to celebrate positive male role models and to raise awareness of men’s issues which are often overlooked. These include areas like mental health, toxic masculinity and the prevalence of male suicide.

We have designed our society in such a way that if a man is physically harassed by a woman and if he decides to tell his story, he is shamed and laughed at. A single allegation can destroy his life. He doesn’t even get a chance for due process. It is easy for a woman to play the ‘gender card’ as per her wishes, act as a damsel in distress as it pleases her mainly to get away from the mistakes they do.

But why is there a “Men’s Day”, aren’t men the oppressors, the misogynists, the rapists? The contemporary feminist rhetoric denies existence of female oppression. Men also need to overcome their reluctance to talk about their problems: whether it’s seeking more physical intimacy or just going to counseling sessions, men are not seeking out the services they need.

International Men’s Day has nothing to do with being a so-called ‘masculine man’; it aims at raising awareness and addressing inequalities in men’s health, especially mental health and education. The day mainly focuses to address six key issues, also known as ‘the six pillars of international Men’s Day’: To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports personalities, but every day working class men who are living decent, honest lives; to celebrate men’s positive contributions to the society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment; to focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual; to highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law; to improve gender relations and promote gender equality; to create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.

Poudel is recently graduated +2 from Golden Gate International Secondary School.

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