International Men’s Day is celebrated across the world on 19 November. This time, the emphasis is not on women’s rights, but on the rights men are deprived of in their daily lives. They are burdened with expectations everywhere, at home, society and workplace, but when it comes to their own rights, their voices are often suppressed. The question is to what extent are men ignorant of their rights? And will Men’s Day give him a chance to break his silence?
When is Men’s Day being celebrated?
Men’s Day is being celebrated in India since 2007. Although it has not received official recognition from the United Nations, its importance is no less than any other global day. The reason for this is clear: men’s health, mental stress, family responsibilities and social challenges are still not discussed as openly as they should be. The purpose of this day is to ensure that men are respected for their contributions and rights, and that gender equality is visible not just on paper, but in practice.
hope to always be strong
Even today, men are held under a stereotypical mindset in society where they are always expected to be strong. A teary eyed person is considered weak, a tired person is considered incompetent, and a complaining person is considered a liar. International Men’s Day is a platform to break this perception and openly discuss the real problems faced by men.
Why is Men’s Day celebrated?
The main objective of International Men’s Day is to focus on men’s health and well-being. Statistics on cancer, heart disease and mental health problems show that men often hide their problems, which delays treatment and makes the condition worse. Men’s Day seeks to change this mindset, by demonstrating that men also have the right to talk about their feelings, stress and fatigue.
legal rights of men
People often believe that legal protections are only for women or children, but the truth is that the Indian Constitution provides the same fundamental rights to men as well—such as the right to life, liberty and property. Men also have many important rights about which very few people know. For example, men can also file complaints of domestic violence and harassment, a fact that many people do not realize.
Men’s rights are also clearly mentioned in family laws. If the husband is financially weak and the wife has a good income, he can legally demand maintenance. Men have equal rights to custody of children, which is not limited to just the role of weekend father. Men also have the right to sell property, share in marital property and file complaints against false sexual harassment or dowry allegations. In many cases, the courts have taken a strong stance on this issue and have given equal importance to the safety of men.
What does the law say?
Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. This means that the law provides equal protection to both men and women. Many laws like Section 406 of the Indian Penal Code are completely gender-neutral and apply to everyone.
