International Men's Day (IMD) has been celebrated annually on 19 November since 1999, when it was inaugurated in Trinidad and Tobago.  It is currently supported by over 50 countries worldwide, including South Africa, where it is a partnership between the Department of Social Development, FAMSA (Family & Marriage Association of South Africa) and the Fatherhood Foundation.

This day focuses on improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, producing responsible males and highlighting positive male role models. It also looks at addressing issues such as parenting, positive male role models, families and healthy life choices for men. International Men's Day is primarily concerned with celebrating positive male narratives and issues unique to the experiences of men and boys.

Men make sacrifices everyday in their place of work, in their role as husbands and fathers, for their families, for their friends, for their communities and for their nation. International Men’s Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society for the greater good of all. It is a time for many people to reflect on the contributions, sacrifices and progress made by men in society.  Further, it is an occasion to highlight discrimination against men and boys and to celebrate their achievements and contributions to community, family, marriage and child care.

The International theme for 2014 is: “Working Together for Men and Boys”. This year’s theme is designed to encourage greater co-operation in addressing the issues that affect men and boys all over the world such as men’s shorter life expectancy, the high male suicide rate, the collective tolerance of violence against men, the struggles that boys can face in getting an education and the unique challenges of father-child relationships. International Men’s Day focus on men’s and boy’s life expectancy and health, as well as highlighting the importance of fathers as positive male role models.

In order to give young boys the best start in life there are specific areas that need to be addressed. Life expectancy is an alarming one, as they live shorter lives and commit suicide more often than girls. Areas such as education also need to be tackled. More and more studies are showing that females are out-performing males in school. The issue of violence also needs to be looked at. Violence is not something that should be taught and young men should feel supported.

The day looks at finding ways to work together to reflect the Six Pillars of International Men's Day:

1. Working together to promote positive male role models.
2. Working together to celebrate Men’s positive contributions.
3. Working together to focus on Men’s health and well-being.
4. Working together to highlight discrimination against males.
5. Working together to improve gender relations and improve gender equality.
6. Working together to create a safer, better world.

For any enquiries on Departmental programmes please contact Ms L Mongale @ 053-874 9296 or Ms J de Wet 053-874 9289.

Issued by:

Nelmarie van Wyk,
Communication Office,
Department of Social Development,
053 – 874 9214/079 875 0849