There’s one perennial question that is asked every year on March 8, more specifically on International Women’s Day is – When is International Men’s Day? Obviously, there are several other questions on the same line such as, Is there an International Men's Day? Or, Is there any Men's Day? If you are wondering this has anything to do with curiosity or plain ignorance, then you are sadly wrong. These questions make its way without fail on the social media more out of their enviousness or simply mocking the idea of Women’s Day celebrations. But chill guys, we do have Men’s Day and it is also an annual event. While the date of International Men’s Day falls on November 19 but we think it would be great to share everything about the all-important day to curb the lack of knowledge portrayed by envy men around the around right in the budding stage.

On What Date is International Men’s Day Celebrated?

Every year since 1992, International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19. The theme for International Men's Day 2018 is 'positive male role models.' The inaugural International Men’s Day was held in Trinidad and Tobago on November 19 in 1999. While it is yet to be officially observed by United Nations, a petition has been called in. Speaking on behalf of UNESCO, Director of Women and Culture of Peace Ingeborg Breines said of IMD, "This is an excellent idea and would give some gender balance." The day is also celebrated as Civil Awareness Day, Men and Boys Day, Anti-Sexism Day and Anti-Discrimination Day.

Which Part of the World is International Men’s Day Observed?

While Women’s Day is observed across the globe, Men’s Day is commemorated in over 70 countries. These nations include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, the Cayman Islands, China, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Ghana, Grenada, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Malta, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zimbabwe.

Why is International Men’s Day Celebrated?

Like women’s day is celebrated to commemorate the movement of women’s rights, men’s day is celebrated to promote gender equality, fighting discrimination and peaceful relations. It focuses on men’s and boys’ health. The day is celebrated to pay attention to improvements towards gender relations in all societies. Giving male models to younger generations and men’s roles in the family, relationships, community and society. Men’s Day is important to fight off stereotypes and discriminations men and boys go through. It is also significant in celebrating their achievements and not take it for granted.

Yes, women’s day has gained more prominence when compared to men’s day in the world. And, this is making guys (not generalizing or categorizing every male on this planet) mock the event by either questioning the reason behind women’s day celebrations or letting out their superiority complex by brushing off how they don’t have any special day of celebration. Here’s when problems arise.

We’re far, far away from living in a Utopian world, where gender equality, the underlying message of both women’s and men’s day celebrations exists. It is not a hidden secret that women are fighting for basic human rights from education, medical help, work, reproductive rights, own property, equal pay. They are fighting a war to be free from sexual violence (marital rape is still a thing)! So when men call for equality in terms of attention Men’s Day to Women’s Day, they need to understand that women are still fighting for basic human rights which is taken for granted by them. It is time we join hands in honouring these important days and not take potshots to create more divide between two important and equal sections of the society.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 08, 2018 02:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).