International Men's Day: History and Purpose

International Men's Day

International Men's Day (IMD) is observed every year on 19 November. The date is a meaningful one: it links the popular “Movember” charity month and sits right beside Universal Children's Day on 20 November, so that together the two form a 48-hour celebration of men and children, and of the special relationships they share.

The objectives of International Men's Day include a focus on the health of men and boys, promoting gender equality, and highlighting the positive aspects of male experience. It is an occasion for men to draw attention to the discrimination they face, and to celebrate their achievements and contributions.

It's worth recognising that men make sacrifices every day — in their place of work, in their roles as husbands and fathers, for their families, their friends, their communities and their nation. International Men's Day is an opportunity for people everywhere, of goodwill, to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society for the greater good of all.